Giving It Back: Returning Heritage and Cultural Restitution

Overnights

Cultural restitution is the process of returning stolen culturally significant artefacts to their country or community of origin, serving as a means of providing justice for past wrongs. During the colonial era, many artefacts were seized by force, taken as war trophies, or sold to fund military expeditions. These acts were once considered a right of occupation. However, societal values have evolved, and today no museum would accept objects acquired under such violent circumstances…. So then why do they hold on to these items?