[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.