The Egyptian people have the right to see the real Rosetta Stone
Egypt threathening to severe ties with the Louvre museum led to five looted Pharaonic steles returning to Egypt and maybe even to Tetiki's tomb of which they were illegally removed. But the directory general of the SCA, Dr. Zahi Hawass, is on a quest that he hopes will lead to the high-profile "icons of the Egyptian identity" returning to the Cairo Museum. What's on the wishlist? First and foremore the Rosetta Stone from the British Museum and the Nefertiti Bust from the Neues. But also a statue of Hemiunu, the bust of Anchhaf, the mask of Ka-Nefer-Nefer and the painted Zodiac blasted out of the ceiling of the temple at Dendera, dedicated to goddess of love Hathor.
An exodus of artefacts
If those artefacts can't be returned permanently Dr. Hawass would at least like them back on load for the opening of Egypt's Grand Museum at Giza, due by 2013. Neither the British Museum, nor the Neues seem inclined to give us these priceless items that draw thousands of tourists every year. The BBC reports the British Museum stating: "A loan request regarding the Rosetta Stone was received and acknowledged. The request currently stands as a matter for further consideration in due course." One can partly understand their rather chilly reactions to such requests, because if they return one artefact, where will it end? Just imagine the exodus of ancient objects from the museums once Greece, Rome, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, Mexico, Peru, Benin, China and Scotland all call for the return of their cultural patrimony.
But Dr. Hawass states the British Museum need not worry, at least not where Egypt is concerned: "I'm not asking for all the artefacts of the British Museum to come to Egypt." "I'm only asking for the unique cultural objects," he added, referring to items of great archaeological value, such as the Rosetta Stone.
It was once thought that when the New Acropolis Museum opened, the Parthenon Friezes would be returned from the British Museum to Athens. One could say the Elgin Marbles were 'legally looted', as they were sold when Greece was occupied by the Ottoman Empire and it's not even sure if that deal actually allowed Elgin to chip off the friezes from the Parthenon.
Outreach or local reach
But surely, isn't it better to have the Rosetta Stone in London, which gives more people the opportunity to marvel at it than if it were in the Egyptian Museum at Cairo? Isn't it great to have one spot which you can visit to taste and learn about Roman, Assyrian, Aboriginal and Egyptian culture? This used to be one of the arguments I could not counter. Certainly, it would be even better to learn about those cultures 'in situ', but not everybody can afford a yearly vacation to another continent. So Nefertiti and the Rosetta Stone reach out to people. That's a noble cause, and one that could justify their forced exile?
Wafaa al-Saddiq, the director of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo does not think the 'outreach effect' is enough: "I have very mixed and difficult feelings when I go to a museum overseas and see all these wonderful items taken from Egypt. The objects are giving a good example of Egyptian civilisation to people in different countries so that they then come here to see the Pyramids and tombs," she told the BBC. "At the same time, I always say the Egyptian people also have the right to see these unique objects, some of which were taken when Egypt was under occupation, so my first wish is that they come back," she adds.
And Wafaa al-Saddiq definitely has a point there. The average wages in Berlin and London are higher than those in Egypt or Benin, so visiting Nefertiti at the Neues or flying to Paris to see the Dendera Zodiac - which I could easily afford if I'd quit smoking - means a massive financial sacrifice for the very people who's heritage these museums hold. Which just does not seem just. So maybe Nefertiti should be given the chance to reach out to her 'own people' first?
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May I make a suggestion? Why not institute an exchange program?
To ensure that exchanges are not abused, a third disinterested
party, say the USA or France could act as the exchange program broker. As an
example the Cairo Museum has the golden bust of King Tut in its care; the Rosetta
stone and King Tut's bust could be held in escrow by the broker and loaned to the alternate
museum for a mutually agreed period. Other artifacts could also be exchanged under this
program and hopefully bring an end to this possessive mania so that the pieces would
truly become what they are; world treasures, with museums all over the world having
an opportunity to display the original pieces.
Hi Patrick, as much as I love the idea, I think most nations will protest. They always say 'our artefacts are to sensitive to travel' (and who knows, sometimes that might be actually true) or that they are afraid damages will occure. And then, if for a nation does not want to return one of the 'star artefacts', what to do? A trade embargo? Invade?
I understand why museums are a bit reluctant to let go of their prime pieces, even if temporary/ a long term loan. But as it does work for smaller artefacts, maybe you're right, and a good system should be worked out. As the Louvre has some 'imported and debated' objects in its collection, and the USA is currently in heavy debate wether or not to prolong its agreement on repatriation of artefacts and funding of excavations in Italy, I think neither of them are appropriate. What about Belgium/Brussels? According to all the British papers, we excell in 'compromising'! ;)
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