The international controversy over who "owns" antiquities has pitted museums against archaeologists and source countries where ancient artifacts are found. In his book Who Owns Antiquity?; James Cuno argued that antiquities are the cultural property of humankind; not of the countries that lay exclusive claim to them. Now in Whose Culture?; Cuno assembles preeminent museum directors; curators; and scholars to explain for themselves whats at stake in this struggle--and why the museums critics couldnt be more wrong. Source countries and archaeologists favor tough cultural property laws restricting the export of antiquities; have fought for the return of artifacts from museums worldwide; and claim the acquisition of undocumented antiquities encourages looting of archaeological sites. In Whose Culture?; leading figures from universities and museums in the United States and Britain argue that modern nation-states have at best a dubious connection with the ancient cultures they claim to represent; and that archaeology has been misused by nationalistic identity politics. They explain why exhibition is essential to responsible acquisitions; why our shared art heritage trumps nationalist agendas; why restrictive cultural property laws put antiquities at risk from unstable governments--and more. Defending the principles of art as the legacy of all humankind and museums as instruments of inquiry and tolerance; Whose Culture? brings reasoned argument to an issue that for too long has been distorted by politics and emotionalism. In addition to the editor; the contributors are Kwame Anthony Appiah; Sir John Boardman; Michael F. Brown; Derek Gillman; Neil MacGregor; John Henry Merryman; Philippe de Montebello; David I. Owen; and James C. Y. Watt.
#3906721 in eBooks 2012-05-15 2012-05-15File Name: B008B1TKDS
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