Why does the British Museum not return artifacts?

The British Museum Act, a law from 1963, prevents the museum in London from doing the same. The law does set out limited exceptions (such as if the object is a duplicate), but returning the loot of empire is not one of them. Still, there is precedent for governments relaxing such restrictions.

What did Britain loot from Benin?

The cockerel, donated to the university in 1905 by the father of a student, is a Benin Bronze, looted during the 1897 British invasion of Benin city, in modern Nigeria, during which British forces burnt down the royal palace among other buildings and stole priceless artifacts.

Is the British Museum returning the Benin Bronzes?

On 27 October 2021, Cambridge University will be the first UK institution to officially repatriate one of the looted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. The “Benin Bronzes” is the name given to thousands of artifacts from the Kingdom of Benin, or Edo Empire, that was once located in the southern region of modern day Nigeria.

How many artifacts did the British take from Benin?

900 objects
There are over 900 objects from the historic Kingdom of Benin in the British Museum’s collection. Over 100 can be seen in a permanent changing display within the Museum’s galleries. Objects from Benin are also lent regularly around the world.

Did the British Museum steal artifacts?

The British Museum is among 160 institutions worldwide to hold some of the 10,000 items stolen from Benin, which was annexed by the British Empire into what is now southern Nigeria, after a violent invasion by an expeditionary force of 1,200 personnel. …

How did the Benin plaques end up in Britain?

Most of the plaques and other objects were stolen by British forces during the Benin Expedition of 1897 as imperial control was being consolidated in Southern Nigeria. Two hundred pieces were taken to the British Museum in London, while the rest found their way to other European museums.

Why did the British burn Benin?

The British used one of their favorite tactics to burn the city to the ground: deception – they claimed that the Omo n’Oba Ovonramwen had breached a treaty (they wanted to annex Benin Kingdom as a British protectorate, and the Oba refused to sign). The operation was named ‘Benin Punitive Expedition.

How many Benin Bronzes were stolen?

Explore the significance of the controversial treasures. The Benin Bronzes are a collection of more than 3,000 figures and other decorative pieces looted by the British in 1897.

Who stole the Benin Bronzes?

British troops
British troops looted thousands of artworks known as the Benin Bronzes from the Kingdom of Benin, in present-day Nigeria, in 1897. Following auctions, some of the bronzes ended up in museums and private collections across Europe.

What did England steal from Africa?

Like other European powers, Britain rushed to control African land not just for palm oil but also gold, ivory, diamonds, cotton, rubber and coal.

Should looted artifacts be returned?

It is morally correct, and reflects basic property laws, that stolen or looted property should be returned to its rightful owner. Cultural objects belong together with the cultures that created them; these objects are a crucial part of contemporary cultural and political identity.