Trifter

The Parthenon Marbles or also known as “Elgin Marbles” are the crown jewel of the British Museum. It has generated millions of visitors, and together with the Egyptian and Chinese exhibits, account for the most important items of the Museum.

The British Museum has always claimed that returning the Marbles to Greece is out of the question. The main excuses have been that Greece did not have the infrastructure to promote and protect the Marbles. They also claimed that the Marbles get better exposure to the public in London than in Athens.

It is easy to understand why the British Museum does not want the marbles returned. This will create a precedent that will force the museum to empty from all the “acquired” artifacts it has “collected” over the years.

But what is the cost to the Marbles (and other artifacts) for having a place in the British Museum?

The restoration of 1937-38 saw a scandalous use of copper equipment and abrasives to “scratch” the marbles and bring them in their “original state”. This damage was cumulative to the one the marbles suffered during the initial removing from the Parthenon. These acts were unacceptable even for the restoration protocols of the time.

Professor Cesare Brandi, head of the Istituto Centrale del Ristauro in Rome. In 1950 he entered vigorously into the debate then still raging over the cleaning of pictures at the National Gallery. In the journal of his own Institute he revived the pre-War controversy: “We are not dealing with patina, nor with washing . . . We have here a ferocious skinning, which has removed the first layer of sculpture . . .”(British Museum website)

But are the Parthenon Marbles really safe? Let’s see what has been disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act.

• In 1961, two schoolboys knocked off part of the Centaur’s leg
• In 1966 scratches were made on the back of the marbles by vandals (while inside the museum)
• In 1970 letters were scratched on the thigh of one of the figures
• In 1974 the dowel hole in a centaur’s hoof was damaged by thieves trying to extract pieces of lead
• In 1981 a west pediment item was scratch by a falling glass skylight

All these cases were well documented and hidden from the public for some time. However they are now available in the public domain.

There is however a recent case, not publicized that I witnessed and documented in Scotland. While on exhibition at the Burrell Collection, the Greek exhibits occupied their own special room. When I visited, one of the last days of the exhibition, I saw to my surprise that the Greek exhibits were guarded by a “sleeping guard” during visiting hours. The guard was sitting in a corner (away from the CCTV cameras apparently) and was having a nap. I thought it was a moment of weakness of the poor guy and kept examining the rest of the exhibits. Later on I left, and after roaming around the rest of the collection, the guard was still in the same place, and still sleeping. I took photos of him, including several flash photos, but he did not blink an eye.

I sent the photos to the British Museum and the Burrell Collection. To all honesty, I received a fast response from the British Museum (by the keeper J. Lesley Fitton) and by Muriel King, Museum Manager (The Burrell Collection) who assured me there would be a thorough investigation and that responsibilities will be assigned. However I have not heard from them since.

Picture 1. The security guard taking a nap

Picture 2. The security guard not reacting at flash photography

Picture 3. More flash photography with the sleeping guard.

This experience at the Burrell Collection can raise the following questions.

1. What is the use of having guards who are sleeping while on guard? In the army, you would be court marshaled and go to prison for something like that
2. The Burrell Collection has CCTV in operation. If nobody noticed a sleeping guard for 2-3 hours, who would notice someone removing something from the room?
3. If the British Museum care so much for the Parthenon Marbles, they should be liable for the lack of security in their jurisdiction and people in high places should be investigated, for allowing such travesties
4. After so many years of “unfortunate incidents” including vandalism, why did the British Museum not learn its lessons and change its security policies?

Further to these questions, one must ask : is the renting of the Parthenon Marbles room for parties and receptions to people who can pay a substantial amount of money, according to archaeological protocols of preservation and safe keeping? Is the filming of tv-games in the Parthenon room an act of preservation and respect?

It is about time some people have a second thought about where the Parthenon Marbles really belong. As their name states … they belong to the Parthenon. I read an article by Jonathan Jones at the Guardian. I was surprised that a newspaper of its caliber would allow such rubbish under their name. Jones claimed that modern Greece has nothing to do with ancient Athens and ancient Greek values, and does not have a right to ask for the marbles! I think people like him should be more careful before they publish their opinions. They are not productive and are stupid and offensive, if nothing else.

It is true that the museum us legally covered by the British Museum Act, so it is not considered to having accepted “stolen property”. And I know it is unlikely for the Parthenon Marbles to return to Greece…until in our life time. However this recent event in view of the opening of the new Acropolis Museum on the Parthenon hill in Athens, should give us all some food for thought.