Abstract:
The contested stewardship of cultural antiquities acquired during colonial rule raises significant legal and ethical issues for contemporary museums. Anticipating that the ownership of antiquities can be convincingly claimed for both nations and cultural institutions, a review of the dominant discourses which characterize international repatriation debates will provide a brief introduction to key principles. Through an extensive literature review, this capstone will examine the germane legal instruments which frame cultural heritage repatriation, and suggest models for mutually beneficial resolution.