An Introduction ... on the Repatriation Debate

Repatriation is a struggle between restitutionists and retentionists. Restitutionists are those who demand the return of artifacts to its originating location. Retentionists however argue that cultural property should stay within metropolitan museums where they are best served.

Most repatriation demands deal with cultural artifacts that were collected to increase national glory during a might is right imperialistic period that allowed looting, plundering, and victory spoils of several cultures (Barkan 16-9). Although UNESCO currently forbids the exportation of cultural property, there is no international consent on what to do with previously exported objects (Barkan 23).