Buzz
A visit to the British Museum might leave you with a curious feeling, as you'll come across many exhibits that seem far removed from England. These artifacts hail from distant cultures and civilizations thousands of miles away. Over the years, England has gathered an impressive collection of historically significant items, often through various means. The countries of origin have now demanded the return of these valuable relics, though none have been sent back so far.
10. Elgin Marbles
The Parthenon is among the most iconic structures in history, representing a tribute to the gods and goddesses of Greece. Known for its beauty, it's frequently used as an example in art and architecture studies, and remains one of the most photographed monuments globally. However, the Parthenon was never captured in photos with its Elgin Marbles still in place.
The intricate carvings that once adorned the Parthenon, constructed in the fifth century BC, displayed a vibrant frieze depicting revelers celebrating the goddess Athena. Between 1801 and 1805, large portions of these marble slabs were taken from the ancient temple and ended up in England, thanks to Lord Elgin, who was serving as the British ambassador to Greece at the time.
Greece has made repeated requests for the return of these priceless ancient sculptures, which are integral to their national heritage, but England has consistently declined.
9. The Rosetta Stone
The Rosetta Stone, one of the most famous and historically significant artifacts ever found, played a crucial role in deciphering ancient languages. Its inscription, written in multiple languages, enabled scholars to unlock the secrets of lost writing systems that hadn't been used in centuries, if not millennia. It's an extraordinary find.
The stone was uncovered in Egypt by Napoleon, who is credited with rediscovering many ancient treasures during his military campaigns in the early 1800s. Originally engraved around 300 BC, this stone holds immense historical value.
Following the British victory over the French at the Battle of Waterloo, the Rosetta Stone ended up in English hands and is now displayed prominently at the British Museum. This artifact, which has sparked numerous calls for its return from the Egyptian government, remains in England to this day.
8. Amaravati Stupa Marbles
The Amaravati Stupa, dating back to the third century BC, was an enormous and awe-inspiring Buddhist shrine located in what is now Chennai, India. In the 1840s, British colonizers discovered the site, dismantled it, and took its pieces back to Britain, where they were reassembled and put on display in a museum.
The sculptures removed from the stupa are referred to as the Amaravati marbles, or Eliot marbles. These carved panels, which once adorned the outer walls of the shrine, vividly depict scenes from the life of Buddha.
Numerous historians have urged for the repatriation of these sacred pieces to India, but despite these calls, the artifacts remain in England.
7. The Benin Bronzes
The bronze sculptures originating from Benin, now part of present-day Nigeria, shine with a gleam in the British Museum, despite the violent manner in which they were acquired. These bronzes, crafted in the 1200s, were taken during an 1897 expedition. Benin had resisted British rule, prompting military intervention to suppress the uprising.
The city of Benin was raided, and the Kingdom of Benin was brought to its knees. Over 200 bronze sculptures were seized and later found a new home in the British Museum. Since 1960, Nigeria has repeatedly requested their return, with formal appeals spanning decades.
The bronzes were notably featured in the 2018 film Black Panther, although the film inaccurately portrayed the artifacts as being housed in a fictional 'Museum of Great Britain,' and claimed the bronzes were from Wakanda.
In 2018, the British agreed to temporarily loan some of the Benin bronzes to a museum in Nigeria, the country of their origin. Nevertheless, the bronzes remain on loan and are not being permanently returned to Nigeria.
6. Maori Heads
The Maori heads provoke discomfort on multiple fronts. These artifacts hail from the farthest corners of the world, originating from the Maori people of New Zealand. The heads were carefully tattooed and preserved for use in ceremonial rituals, making them culturally significant. Some of these heads are centuries old, and numerous examples have ended up in museums worldwide.
When English settlers arrived in New Zealand in the late 1700s, they viewed the heads as curious objects, leading to a trend of acquiring them for sale in England. Today, many of these heads can be seen as part of the eerie displays at the British Museum.
New Zealand has made several attempts to reclaim these sacred artifacts, successfully retrieving some. However, many of the heads still remain on exhibit in British museums and in other institutions across the globe.
5. Hoa Hakananai’a
One of the most iconic and striking exhibits in the British Museum is the Hoa Hakananai’a, a massive Easter Island head. This extraordinary artifact, which dates back between 1400 and 1600, stands out not only because of its immense size but also due to its distant origins, sparking intrigue and fascination among historians ever since its discovery.
In 1868, two of the Easter Island heads were taken by members of the British Royal Navy and brought to England, where they have remained ever since despite numerous requests for their return. It is believed these heads held immense cultural or spiritual importance.
4. Taino Wooden Artifacts
Known as the Bionayel figures and the Birdman, these remarkable wooden artifacts are among the most exotic items on display at the British Museum. Their unique origin from a different cultural and geographical context makes them particularly fascinating. These Taino artifacts were brought to the UK from Jamaica.
Also referred to as the Carpenter’s Mountain carvings, these artifacts were reportedly taken from a cave in Jamaica’s Carpenter’s Mountain. Removed from the country, they were acquired by the British Museum between 1799 and 1803, becoming an official part of the museum’s collection in 1977, following a formal request made by Jamaican authorities.
In the 1980s, 137 cultural artifacts from Jamaica were discovered to be housed at the British Museum. While the country has formally requested the return of all Jamaican artifacts, these two items, in particular, have been singled out for their profound cultural significance. The Taino people were the first inhabitants of Jamaica, making these artifacts historically invaluable.
3. Relics of the Battle of Omdurman
Between 1896 and 1898, during a British colonization campaign, several items from the Battle of Omdurman in present-day Sudan were taken and displayed in various British museums.
The Sudanese government has formally requested the return of various items, including armor, weapons, skulls, and a military banner, all taken as war trophies. Sudan aims to exhibit these artifacts in their national museum to share the true history of the battle, as stated in their official request.
Despite these requests, the artifacts remain on display across different museums in England.
2. Items from the Chinese Summer Palace
The looting and destruction of the Summer Palace continues to be a sensitive issue between England and China. The incident began after the death of Thomas Bowlby, a British foreign correspondent. In retaliation, British and French forces destroyed and set fire to the magnificent Summer Palace, reducing it to ruins. Originally built in 1750, the palace was a symbol of China’s grandeur.
The Summer Palace was considered one of the most beautiful structures in China, home to the nation's most treasured artworks. Its destruction was a devastating blow to the Chinese people. Today, the ruins stand as a major tourist destination, where visitors learn about the tragic events that led to the palace’s downfall.
A significant number of items were looted from the palace and are now housed in museums across England and France. It is believed that the British possess several of these, including imperial scepters, vases, jade sculptures, and even fragments of a Chinese Imperial throne. Numerous Chinese citizens and officials have called for the return of these priceless artifacts to China.
1. Neanderthal Skulls
While not as visually striking as the magnificent Rosetta Stone or the stunning Greek marbles, the Neanderthal skulls at Long's Natural History Museum are among the most significant discoveries ever made. These skulls have played a key role in advancing our understanding of Neanderthals and have contributed greatly to the foundational knowledge we possess about this ancient human species.
The remains were not discovered in England; they were found in Gibraltar. The Gibraltar National Museum has formally requested the return of these skull fragments, but so far, these requests have not been fulfilled. These skulls are estimated to be around 50,000 years old.
