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by mad_tortoise 1370 days ago
Except most of the places that they took artefacts from are not warzones, or under threat of war. Egypy, Greece, Nigeria, Turkey, the US, India, China, South Africa etc etc all have the capabilities to take back and house their treasures safely. It is purely British arrogance to think that many other countries don't treasure these objects nor able to look after them.

I think preservation vs plunder argument is an easy copout for those that are keeping stolen goods.
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wutbrodo 1370 days ago
Seriously, the argument is ludicrous. I'm open to the idea that stability is important, but Britain isn't even the best candidate for that. Brits who make this argument don't seem to be very aware of their own history, as they was bombed quite badly in the 40s, causing damage https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/collections/world-museum...

Even if you accept this premise, there are a good handful of other countries relatively untouched by war/instability that would be safer homes. The argument is a thin fig leaf.

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lostlogin 1370 days ago
It’s literally what kids say to each other in the playground when called out for taking things that aren’t theirs. “I’m just looking after it”.
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