A national duty to protect the Elgin Marbles
SIR – As a student in the 1960s, I hitchhiked around Greece with some friends. We got up early to go to the Acropolis and wandered all over the Parthenon, which was then surrounded by broken statues and rubble. There were only a few people there. Nothing was looked after or protected.
We didn’t think anything of it at the time. Life was free and a bit rough (we slept on beaches, graves, haystacks, hard stony ground at Delphi and the flat roofs of hotels). We went to many important sites in Greece and it was the same messy story: Epidaurus, Mycenae, Delphi and Knossos in Crete. Recently we revisited Knossos. It is very different now; there are walkways and all important aspects of the site are roped off.
I understand that the Elgin Marbles were bought at very great expense in order to protect them (Letters, November 29). If the Greeks are now prepared to look after their ancient and wonderful heritage properly, then maybe there is a case for returning them.
Cilla Alexander
Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
SIR – I visited the Acropolis Museum last weekend. Being British, it’s quite uncomfortable to view the sculptures in the shadow of the Parthenon and see a plaster copy of the body of a horse between its original head and tail.
We must at least loan back the sculptures Elgin saved for posterity.
Chris Radford Jones
London SW3
SIR – If “flawless reproductions” can be made (Letters, November 29), then one possible solution to the dispute is for half of the original marbles to go to Greece and the others to remain, with those sent being replaced by fakes.
By rotating a few of them from time to time, both countries’ museums would retain their visitor attraction.
Ken Turrell
Norwich
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
