Is anyone aware of any studies that have been done on the fate of repatriated
cultural property? Other than human remains, have other items recovered
from tombs been reburied? Are ceremonial items always returned to use
in ceremonies? Who is usually the recipient of repatriated items?
In one case history that I am aware of, 3000 pre-Columbian textiles were
repatriated by an anthropologist to Peru - only to be resold in the
international market by members of the army.
David Walker
Talisman Textile Conservation
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