Document Type

Capstone

Publication Date

Spring 2025

Keywords

cultural heritage restitution, looted artifacts, repatriation policy, dispute resolution, Parthenon marbles, Republic of Austria v. Altmann, international cultural property law, cultural diplomacy, artificial intelligence in cultural preservation

Abstract

The frequent foreign invasions and widespread social instability during World War II led to the displacement and loss of countless cultural relics across borders. Many of these artifacts ended up in countries with limited historical and cultural ties to them, resulting in a lack of intrinsic understanding and root connection to their origins. This root disconnection often represents the recipient nations viewing these artifacts through a lens of ownership rather than heritage, perceiving them as property or commodities instead as invaluable representations of ancient civilizations (Boz, 2023). The commodification approach fueled the illicit trade and trafficking of cultural property but also caused minimal efforts toward preservation and an absence of appreciation for the artifacts’ cultural and historical value. The lack of a deeper awareness of the cultural significance of these relics created discrepancies in preservation initiatives.

Categorizing artifacts solely by era and nationality is one of the most effortless and simplistic methods of curating exhibitions. The practice reflects the cultural hubris often embedded in major museums, shaped by Eurocentrism and a colonial history that influences their interpretative frameworks. Within this paradigm, heritage is marginally represented from their culture, stripping away the authentic narratives and reducing their stories to incomplete fragments. Artifacts divorced from cultural integrity, leaving any exhibition that neglects their original narrative fundamentally deficient.

The artifacts, in their roles as tangible links to ancient societies, hold profound insights into the social structures, technological advancements, and ideological beliefs of past civilizations. The failure to safeguard and understand these pieces of history fully jeopardizes collective knowledge and deprives humanity of a cohesive historical narrative, weakening the foundation upon which future cultural and academic explorations can be built.

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