Recent Posts
An official from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has confirmed the identity of an object held at National Museums Scotland (NMS) as a sacred Ethiopian Tabot
Latest Restitution News
Recent articles added to our comprehensive resource list of restitution news from around the world
APR 2024
United States
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has returned a Sumerian sculpture dating from the 3rd millennium B.C. to the Republic of Iraq following provenance research
APR 2024
Australia
London's Natural History Museum is refusing efforts to restore the remains of a Woppaburra ancestor of Dr Harry Van Issum to his community on the Keppel Islands
APR 2024
United Kingdom
Returning Heritage and law firm Leigh Day have initiated an investigation by the ICO over the British Museum's failure to disclose information regarding sacred Ethiopian Tabots
MAR 2024
United States
A Colorado auction house is selling antiquities that Mexico's leaders say were illegally removed
From the Editor
The latest analysis and reports on cultural restitution news
An official from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has confirmed the identity of an object held at National Museums Scotland (NMS) as a sacred Ethiopian Tabot
The British Museum has shown itself adept at refusing to provide information to questions they’d prefer not to answer. We hope our initiative to escalate concerns about the Museum’s collection of Ethiopian Tabots to the Information Commissioner’s Office will encourage greater transparency
The emergent gap between Britain’s national and non-state collections is about to get wider, as prospects for a UK nationwide restitution strategy appear as far away as ever
About Cultural Restitution
Cultural restitution is the process by which a moveable object of historic or cultural value is returned to its country of origin after being seized, looted or acquired against the will of its owners. But it's more than just an act of return. It represents a growing recognition of the need to correct injustices committed in the past.
Today, as society’s values and the role of museums change, the legitimacy and ownership of these objects – as well as those thought to be procured legally – are coming under a spotlight. As complicated and sensitive as this debate may be, there’s no halting the growing debate between museums and communities of origin to find solutions that build new bridges of friendship and cooperation. This involves a new approach to restitution built on engagement, transparency and fairness.
EXPLORE
Mapping the location of cultural restitutions
Our extensive Global Archive provides invaluable links to many other restitutions and other restitution news taking place around the world - organised by country.
View our Interactive Map ➔
A Museum Perspective
“Having spent time on Groote Eylandt at the invitation of the Anindilyakwa People makes reaching this point of handover feel momentous... Sitting with Elders and hearing them discuss this collection on their land in their terms has enabled me to understand and care in ways not possible in a store room in Manchester, and brought us to a place of understanding together.”
Georgina Young, Head of Exhibitions and Collections, Manchester Museum (Sept 2023)
