“The British would be quite upset if another country possessed parts of Stonehenge,” remarked renowned British anthropologist Alice Roberts, advocating for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece.
Roberts made this statement following a meeting with Greece’s Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, who reiterated Greece’s longstanding request for the 2,500-year-old sculptures to be reunited with the Parthenon.
Cultural Belonging and Context
Speaking to Radio Times, Roberts emphasized the importance of historical artifacts remaining in their original setting:
“I imagine people in England would be quite upset if another country held significant parts of Stonehenge and refused to return them. Monuments created for a specific location and landscape lose their context when they are removed.”
The 51-year-old academic, widely recognized for hosting Curse of the Ancients with Alice Roberts, made these remarks ahead of her new Channel 4 series, Ancient Greece by Train, which premieres on Saturday. Previously, she has explored Ancient Egypt and the Ottoman Empire in her documentary work.
Addressing the Legacy of Colonialism
Roberts also stressed the need to confront controversial practices of the past, many of which are tied to colonial history.
“There is an urgent need to acknowledge some of the contested practices of the past, which were often linked to colonial history. We can recognize these injustices and take action today.”
She dismissed concerns that returning the Parthenon Sculptures would set a precedent leading to the emptying of British museums.
“Worrying about ‘setting a precedent’ is never a valid argument for not doing what is morally right,” she asserted.
Ongoing Discussions and Political Stance
The British Museum stated in December that an agreement regarding the sculptures is “still some way off”, though “progress has been made.” Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Downing Street clarified that the fate of the sculptures rests “entirely” with the museum.
Ancient Greece’s Enduring Influence
Roberts’ upcoming documentary Ancient Greece by Train explores how ancient Greek civilization continues to shape modern life through its contributions to democracy, art, science, and medicine.
“The ancient Greeks tackled profound philosophical questions that we still wrestle with today,” Roberts noted. “At the same time, they had a pagan belief system filled with incredible myths and stories of gods, unsupported by evidence.”
The debate over the Parthenon Sculptures remains a key issue in cultural heritage discussions, with growing international support for their return to Greece.
