Parthenon Marbles

I will never forget what made us who we are. Part 8

  Here is something to think about. Who owns culture? If the culture is a shared understanding, then the original developers of that cultural root, the country of that culture's birth has the greatest right to ownership. What I am trying to say is the origins of cultural thinking belong to the place not just one nation.  Time and knowledge, is all it takes for this to be acknowledged as right. Therefore, the shared understandings of the symbolism of the Parthenon Marbles which at present are held by the British Museum would be given a wider and older acknowledgement if they were returned to Greece. At present they are given just the British understanding of that shared culture. Yes, the British Empire did help spread the original understandings of the older culture of the Ancient Greeks, but it was one that was changed for the benefit of those who now hold the remaining Art (i.e. The Parthenon Marbles) of that more ancient understanding of Ancient Athens.  The British Museum claims ownership of that ancient Culture, one which has a debatable history of attainment, especially when speaking of the Parthenon Marbles. This debate is 200 years old, just a small amount of time really when we think about the age of the Parthenon and its separated Marble Sculptures.
Greece, the modern country, of ancient times  now is re-examining her ancient buildings and finding out how and why they were built. This is especially true of the Parthenon. How the Ancient Greeks built this one building, the Parthenon is now being re-examined by the experts from a United Europe with the help of funding from UNESCO. Collectively they toll to reconstruct this ancient building. All the missing pieces should be in easy reach for them to examine. So, is it not right then that those missing pieces be returned for all to understand their true significance?  It is the right of all western cultural countries for this to happen. Britain must allow those ancient treasures be returned for the reunification to be completed as near as possible for the full ancient understanding to be acknowledged. 
The placement of the sculptures of the Parthenon tell their own story. That story is lost if they are not in situ on this ancient building. Unfortunately their return to this building can never be because of the damage done to its structure when they were removed. But to have them placed in the Acropolis Museum in the same pattern and facing the same direction towards the sun or away from it, we of today and our children can then finally understand their true purpose. We will see as the Ancient Greeks themselves wished and did see them. 
So, I call on everyone to rethink the significance of the Parthenon Marbles and where best they now should be situated. Of course, I have made up my own mind. They must be returned to Greece ASAP. This understanding has developed over years of research and after being associated with the push to Reunite the Marbles I am convinced that the only place for the Marbles is in the purpose built museum of the Acropolis. . I am soon to continue on my own personal journey of discovery with my University subject of Ancient Athens in the times of Pericles. I hope by retelling this personal journey I will be able to do my part in achieving this cultural heritage replacement. By helping all those who believe and work tirelessly to make the reunification of the Parthenon happen.  

Maybe you too wish to become part of the force and voice your own understandings of this long debate of 200 Years. 

I can not post the links here but if you wish to read more on the current news of this debate please do so from my facebook page and find posted the links to help you develop your own understandings of what and who owns culture.