Recent Posts
A Roman bronze head from a statue of a young man, acquired by the Getty Museum in Los Angeles in 1971, is returning to Turkey after evidence emerged it was excavated illegally
Latest Restitution News
Recent articles added to our comprehensive resource list of restitution news from around the world
APR 2024
United States
Director of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art signs a cultural property 'memorandum of understanding' with the government of Thailand and returns two 11th cent metal sculptures
APR 2024
United Kingdom
In a ceremony at Trinity College Cambridge, the four Gweagal spears taken by James Cook and Joseph Banks in April 1770 are permanently repatriated to the La Perouse Aboriginal Community
APR 2024
France
France faces a "titanic and exhilarating" task trying to identify which of the c. 90,000 African artworks in French museums were plundered during colonial rule
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
From the Editor
The latest analysis and reports on cultural restitution news
A Roman bronze head from a statue of a young man, acquired by the Getty Museum in Los Angeles in 1971, is returning to Turkey after evidence emerged it was excavated illegally
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
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
"Instead of conflict we have partnership, and instead of misunderstanding we have a shared vision. Today, we all have an opportunity to celebrate these spears and what they represent for us, Australia and the whole world."
David Johnson, a member of the Gweagal Clan of the Dharawal nation, speaking about the return of the Gweagal spears (April 2024)
