The Welsh ask the British Museum back for their own antiquities (photos)

London, Thanasis Gavos

The renewal of the request to return to Wales objects in the British Museum’s collection is caused by the revelation of the theft of around 2000 objects from the London cultural institution.

Plaid Cymru (Party of Wales) parliamentary group leader in the House of Commons Liz Saville-Roberts cited inadequate security at the museum to bring back the request for repatriation of Mold’s golden cape and Moel Hebog’s bronze shield.

The cape itself dates from 1900-1600 BC. and the shield from 1300-1000 BC.

“Nearly 2000 artefacts worth millions have been stolen from the British Museum. The argument that the Parthenon Marbles, the Golden Cap of Mold or the Shield of Moel Hebog are safer in London is no longer valid,” said Ms Saville-Roberts.

He went on to say that the Welsh bronze shield is not even exhibited by the British Museum but is in a warehouse, despite being 3000 years old.

“For Wales, for Greece and for many countries that were under the control of the British Empire, that argument (about security) has been seriously undermined by the whole affair. It’s finally time to see that the British Museum has no right to these treasures and that a grown-up discussion is needed on their repatriation,” concluded the Plaid Cymru MP.

On the occasion of her statements, the British press recalls the statement of the Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, that the thefts at the British Museum strengthen the permanent and just demand for the definitive return of the Parthenon Sculptures.

They also recall that the Nigerian government has announced an official request for the repatriation of the Benin Bronzes, as well as that the Chinese pro-government newspaper Global Times demanded in an article the return of the Chinese treasures found in the British Museum through “improper channels”.

Photos from the British Museum website