Dear list,

This is a fascinating discussion, the outcome of which defines many
museum positions towards history.

Writing from the hotly contested cultural grounds of New York, its
obvious that museum collections, history, and, missions hinge on a few
questions:

Where did the Met, Museum of Natural History, The National Gallery, in
DC, any large collation of Ancient Art get its collection.  The Egyptian
(and Mesopotamian) excavations took place during a period of British
occupation or Egypt,  and Iraq, (as part of a larger war with the Muslim
Ottoman Empire).  Following Britain's rule, the excavated artifacts were
actively collected by British collectors which found their way into
public collections.  (While many collections are not publicly owned,
they have. almost all w/o fail, a mission describing bringing art to a
general public).

A question we should be asking ourselves is, where are these looted
artifacts going?  If Iraqis are selling these cultural artifacts who is
buying them?  Why do they have value in a broader market?  If they are
the "cradle of civilization" aren't the Iraqi artifacts part of
everyone's cultural history, giving everyone equal clam to their
ownership?

Any thoughts or responses would be greatly appreciated,

CW

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