Robbery at the Museum

This past term in History we were assigned to read the book Loot: The Battle over the Stolen Treasures of the Ancient World by Sharon Waxman, and to then compose a dialouge illustrating the different arguments clearly and do that in less than 750 words. It could be in any setting, between anybody, it just had to accurately represent the book and its arguments. Here it is for your reading pleasure.

Robbery At The Museum

Cast of Characters: Charles Carmichael, Detective

James Davison, Exhibit Curator (new to the position)

Nefertari “'Tari” Milas, Carmichael's partner & the Police

Antiquities Expert

Edward Moore, British Employee

Scene 1

Enter Charles Carmichael, 'Tari Milas and James Davison

They approach a corner of the Ancient Greece exhibit cordoned off with police tape

Carmichael: So you have no idea who could have done this?

Davison: No. I don't understand why this happened. It wasn't a terribly

impressive piece.

Milas: There are people in this world who think that antiquities should be

returned to their country of origin.

Davison: Who?

Milas: Have you ever heard of Zahi Hawass?

Davison: The secretary-general of Egypt's Antiquities Council?

Milas: Right. He has single-handedly caused the current uproar over ancient

artifacts and where they rightfully belong.

Enter Moore

Moore: Talking about the Elgin Marbles? When will those Greeks realize

that Lord Elgin got them fair and square? He had all the right papers, the government gave permission. The statues belong in England.

Milas: (snaps) The situation isn't that simple!

Carmichael: (lays hand on Milas' arm) 'Tari, calm down, not everybody is as passionate about this as you.

Milas: Fine. But to start with, Elgin did extreme damage to the remaining

structure of the Parthenon while completely ignoring the fact that he was only given permission to take away any sculptures or inscriptions which did not interfere with the works or walls of the Citadel. Lord Byron was right, Lord Elgin was a criminal. Elgin's desire to teach his countrymen about sculpture was entirely misplaced. He humiliated my country by desecrating the Parthenon, by taking integral pieces of what is essential to Greece.

Davison: But when the marbles were taken the government that gave

him the firman was the Ottoman Empire, it wasn't even Greece at the time. Surely you agree that it is impossible to restore the Parthenon to its former glory? Isn't it better to preserve the history of your country by leaving the statues where they are?

Carmichael: That's a good point. The history of the Parthenon and its

statues is preserved quite well by the status quo. We have the narrative of the Parthenon statues in the two contexts of Greek national history through the statues in Athens, and in the wider narrative of world history through the statues in London.

Milas: How can you say such a thing? Those statues belong to Greece, just

like the Euphronios krater. There wouldn't even be a dispute over these items if curators had taken more care when investigating the provenance of artifacts.

Moore: But if every artifact with an unclear provenance was given back to

the country that claims it, most museums in America would be empty. It's not the fault of the curator if the looting and smuggling trade has made it nearly impossible to determine a clear provenance.

Davison: Exactly! That's why it's ridiculous for Greece to require the return

of the Elgin marbles. If the government can't stop the insane amount of looting within its own borders, how can they justify their demand for the marbles?

Milas: (voice rising) By acknowledging that there is a need for restitution –

Carmichael: But that is a balancing act. We should get back to the station and

write up our report. We'll contact you as soon as we get any information.

Exunt

Scene 2

Carmichael and Milas, driving back to the station, continue the discussion

Carmichael: 'Tari, you know perfectly well that even if museums stop acquiring antiquities the looting will continue.

Milas: I know Charles, but the concept behind restitution is to expurgate

the acts of previous collectors and curators. They have not only created, but exacerbated the problem of looting.

Carmichael: But why restore items to the source countries if they can't

secure and preserve the artifacts? Wouldn't it be better to wait until they have developed to the point where they can actually take care of the items?

Milas: Perhaps, but that has to be considered along with everything else.

We should remember that these artifacts belong to the country of origin just as much as to the rest of the world.

Finis