Netherlands returns 119 looted artifacts known as Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

https://apnews.com/article/benin-bronzes-netherlands-nigeria-looted-78eab1381f1e219507e2d7607ed41d4f

22 comments

  5. Are they going into a public museum or into an Oba’s private collection never to be seen again?

  6. I initially wanted to write that this is not a good thing, because it increases the likelihood of this artifacts disappearing, but then I remembered the Dutch have a really shitty track record of protecting high value artefacts in museums, so maybe Nigeria will do a better job.

    But no, seriously, jokes aside, even though it might seem like the “moral” thing to do, realistically it’s a bad idea. While in the Netherlands there’s a small risk they might be stolen by thieves, in Nigeria those artifacts are exposed to risks that are order of magnitudes higher. And it’s not just risk of theft, but also:

    – worse conservation in underfunded museums with regular power outages and poor climate control

    – Artifacts “disappearing” due to corruption

    – Risk of looting or destruction during coups, civil unrest, wars (many artifacts in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq etc. were looted or destroyed during conflicts)

  7. a bribe here, and a bribe there, maybe a raid by a local gang

    and the artefacts have found new international owners

    any billionaires eager to get their hands on one of these artefacts, now is the time

    just make sure to pay in cash or crypto

  8. Were they represented by a Nigerian barrister?

  10. Oh shit, now this place is full of colonial deeds apologists

  13. So, when is Sweden to going to return all the national treasures they looted from Poland?

  14. The statues are now enumerated, documented, and recorded. Their history will remain intact, to be viewed statically if they are in a museum, or their history will continue, if they are stolen or re-re-patriated or whatever. The history of stolen artifacts is a history of power and wealth, and it is most of the history for anything smaller than a Great Pyramid. Unique artifacts like these make it easier for hsitorians to unwind the currents— they may go under the waves for a time but they will resurface.

  15. They better hope none of these are related to traditional religion or the up-and-coming Christian fanatics will break in and destroy them

  17. Looking at most comments, I have a serious question: Why are you so obsessed with “preserving” the cultural artifacts of the people you seem to despise?

    You belittle, make fun off and talk about non-western cultures like we are inferior and useless. Let us choose, make mistakes and keep our culture! You should take a hard look at yourself and ask why you wish to possess what we do, but not to engage with us. It’s really fucking weird…

  18. this is genuinely one of the most racist comment sections I’ve ever seen. You’d be hard pressed to find white nationalists this blatant

  20. Impressive, very nice – now let’s see the UK’s looted artefacts.

  21. I’m all for the repatriation of stolen goods but shouldn’t these bronzes be going to Benin?

  22. Can’t wait to see the 13 artefacts in a museum im Lagos.

    It’s too soon, time will tell.

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