[u_sama]

> Syria 2011 > Lebanon 1970s > Algeria 1990s > Afghanistan 1990s

A few simple examples of nations who have went through rather devastating wars and civil wars including Islamists who's main ideology is that anything pre-Islamic is to be destroyed as it might lead to heresy, and who go out of their way to destroy historical places and artifacts. And if not war, then the fact that the cultures of those areas traditionally dont value historical artifacts the same way the developped European, or Chinese influenced countries did in their times.

I am sorry but it is not defending colonization, it is a legitimate issue given that the middle east is stuck on an unresolved powder keg of issues, keeping the Pregammom in Britain instead of where it came from is a good thing.

Even during WW2 the UK, Germany and France set out programs to saveguard historical cultural treasures in protected areas.

[lostlogin]

> Even during WW2 the UK, Germany and France set out programs to saveguard historical cultural treasures in protected areas.

Did they though? That sounds revisionist.

Eg The Badeker raids in one direction, a Bomber Harris and everything he did in the other.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baedeker_Blitz

> A few simple examples of nations who have went through rather devastating wars and civil wars including Islamists who's main ideology is that anything pre-Islamic is to be destroyed as it might lead to heresy, and who go out of their way to destroy historical places and artifacts.

The Reformation shows that this isn’t just an Islamic trait. Plenty of religious artifacts, and location were destroyed.

> the middle east is stuck on an unresolved powder keg of issues

It is. And several of the key players in this are missing from your comment. The US, the UK, Russia and China. This isn’t a problem with undeveloped Islamic countries, it’s considerably broader than that.

[u_sama]

All EU nations have programs to safeguard cultural artifacts and the UK had trainings as late as the 80s or 90s I think.

As for your first point, the nations set to safeguard their treasures, doesn't mean they weren't at a total war were destroying those of the enemy is out of bounds. The fact that Germany and the UK safeguarded paintings and sculptures doesnt mean they dont destroy the other's one.

As for the Reformation, it happened 500 years ago. Even before and after many heresies and iconoclastic movements destroyed artifacts and historical things for being pagan but I don't see why are you trying to go so far back when there are literal examples of the Taliban explosing Buddhist symbols that date of this century, or Palmyra.

Yes, and? I am sorry but what does that have to do with anything. The point is that Middle Eastern countries dont value their historical heritage enough and in case of civil conflict would at best sell it in the black market, at worst destroy it for ideological reasons. I think in the region only Turkey, Armenia, Georgia and Jordan are trustworthy enough to safe-keep their cultural artifacts existing abroad.

[suddenlybananas]

>The Reformation

500 years ago.

[akudha]

Can't this be on a case by case basis? After all, the British stole from so many places in the world - what if they returned stolen items to countries (India for example) that are interested and capable of safeguarding artifacts and didn't return to those countries where they might get destroyed (Afghanistan etc)?

[arethuza]

What about examples where there was nothing like theft involved and no colonisation - the Pergamon Altar in the amazing Pergamon Museum in Berlin is a good example...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pergamon_Altar

[Podrod]

Although the Pergamon Museum also has the Ishtar Gate which was basically smuggled out of Iraq brick by brick.

[u_sama]

I dont see an issue with such a thing, except on the case of legitimate purchase or corruption like the Egyprian bracelet that was smelted for gold.