The Parthenon Marbles and International Law

The Parthenon marbles case is a famous international cultural heritage dispute concerning the repatriation of looted antiquities from the British Museum's 'Elgin Collection. This book is the first in legal scholarship to provide an international law perspective on the case and clarify the new customary international law on the return of cultural property unlawfully removed from its original context.

Format: Hardback
Length: 311 pages
Publication date: 25 May 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

The Parthenon marbles case, a highly renowned international cultural heritage dispute, revolves around the repatriation of looted antiquities, specifically the Parthenon marbles in the British Museums' "Elgin Collection." This case has sparked polarizing discussions among observers since the marbles were unlawfully removed from the ancient temple in Ottoman-occupied Athens during the turn of the 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin. In 1816, faced with financial difficulties, Elgin sold the marbles to the British government, which subsequently entrusted them to the British Museum, where they have remained ever since. The debate surrounding the Parthenon marbles extends far and wide, encompassing ethical and cultural considerations. However, what has often been overlooked is the legal merits of their return in the context of contemporary international law. This book stands as a pioneering legal scholarship that offers an international law perspective on this contentious issue. By examining the case from an international law standpoint, the book aims to clarify the emerging customary international law on the return of cultural property unlawfully removed from its original context. Authored by renowned legal experts, this comprehensive work provides a unique reference source on the legal case for the return of the Parthenon marbles and the new normative framework for the protection of cultural heritage. The book includes a foreword by Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, further enhancing its significance and authority in the field.

Weight: 674g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031263569
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023