Some consider repatriation a slippery slope, given that a large proportion of the collections of many museums come from outside of their own country. It is possible, though unlikely, that a large proportion of a museum’s collection could be requested back by other countries, who may not themselves have the capacity to display these items.
In some cases, there is a legitimate question as to whether the repatriated artefacts would be safe in their new location. There are a number of instances of artefacts being poorly stored or maintained in museums which lack sufficient funding or expertise, as well as examples of items being damaged or stolen due to unrest.
This is not just a case of ‘western’ countries being safer, either: significant damage has occurred to historic buildings in Greece and Italy (most notably at Pompeii) due to a lack of funding and attention. It’s also not always an issue of war, but simply a lack of attention or expertise in those areas. One great example of the good that can be done by western institutions is the SOAS University of London’s Endangered Languages Archive, which has purchased audio tapes and written materials from dead and extinct languages from around the world, rescuing them from decay and damage that would have rendered them forever lost.
Losing the most prominent artefacts would also undermine the museums’ ability to attract visitors, at a point where many already struggle to sustain themselves through donations, exhibition fees and merchandise.
Many people argue that the artefacts being in major museums gives the greatest number of people the best chance to experience them.
The provenance and ownership of artefacts remains a contentious issue, and not one that is likely to go away anytime soon. There are legitimate arguments on both sides, and complications that require a delicate and negotiated approach. The choice not to repatriate items can’t just be seen as insensitive, but has to be viewed in the light of what those items mean to the institution and its funding, which is often a precarious balancing act.
