UK university’s return of looted Benin Bronze puts pressure on other institutions

Aberdeen University has become the first British institution to announce that it plans to return artefacts looted in the late 19th century from what is now part of Nigeria.
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The decision to hand back one of the thousands of Benin Bronzes could lead a wave of repatriations of the stolen plaques and sculptures.
The UK government has insisted that institutions should "retain and explain" contested artefacts, but the university's decision puts pressure on the British Museum, which holds 900 of the Benin Bronzes.
We have been to Aberdeen to see one of the first Bronzes from a museum to be returned.
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[@lf1496]

The British burned down the entire expansive ancient city of Benin, burning down the palace. Returning the left over objects will NEVER replace what was destroyed. Returning the pieces is the least they could do🙄

[@janewhite6858]

Can all the drug dealers give back all the items robbed by drug addicts to the rightful owners and pay for all the drug rehabilitation, that is the least they can do...

[@goodlucktryingtoguessmynam9720]

@@janewhite6858 such ignorance

[@janewhite6858]

@@goodlucktryingtoguessmynam9720 Drug dealers are modern day slave traders living off the misery of others, fact

[@lf1496]

@@janewhite6858 Stop BLAMING your heroin meth addiction on drug dealers, by the way HEROIN and METH dealers are MOSTLY wt too. If you're a crackhead it's up to you to put the pipe down, last I checked a meth dealer didn't steal an entire continent., Stop your FRAGILE KAREN Gaslighting, ignorance🙄

[@gary8306]

@@lf1496 yeah, and if Benin had put up a decent fight to begin with........ Just look forward with your lives, we don't go around with a chip on our shoulder towards the Roman's or Viking nations. It's very sad to see a race just endlessly blaming other people for their problems.

[@matbroomfield]

It seems to me to be a total no-brainer. How any British institutions still have the moral timerity to hang onto stolen artefacts is beyond me.

[@sirhumphreyappleby8399]

That something is beyond you does not surprise me.

[@Thefreenebula]

@@sirhumphreyappleby8399 of course, can’t think can you.

[@jo18533]

Of course it is beyond you. Just don't worry about it.

[@matbroomfield]

@@sirhumphreyappleby8399 No you're right, we should just loot our way around the world and then retain all that stolen property because might is right yeah? Meanwhile, we spend billions on aid to try to win these same nations over. I suggest you think before you type in future fool.

[@matbroomfield]

@@jo18533 Wow, did the local special needs school just let out? You and someone else both using he same feeble line. Good for you. Here's a lollipop.

[@Junior-zf7yy]

Destroyed the Benin city and looted the arts. This shouldn’t be a debate.

[@MmaYambiu]

💯

[@Junior-zf7yy]

@Xiao wong Bidensteinberg you reap what you sow 😜

[@jimmy2minutes]

Think they pale into significance when you look at the foreign aid Bill for Nigeria from the UK.

[@igodohealth9884]

@@jimmy2minutes Forget it! For every £1 given £10 is taken out through the back door.

[@jimmy2minutes]

@@igodohealth9884 really. £ 258 million. Given. And for what. And thats just from us. Its a country on the dole.

[@janswimwild]

If there is somewhere of significance for them to go to be displayed then this is important. These bronzes are of huge significance and beauty and remain an enigma in West African development. They should go home, and their history properly shared with the world. Great news and well done Aberdeen University for leading the way.

[@jimmy2minutes]

What else do you have in your museums? Of significance?

[@faithlesshound5621]

@aG a Certainly more than if they were to spend decades more in a store room or warehouse.

[@Sloth55Chunk]

That's the argument though. If they are returned home they will lose the exposure that the British Museum offers. They absolutely should have ownership returned, but should they be displayed in an obscure Lagos museum that nobody visits? I think Nigerian officials would rather them in London themselves. This is just about principle.

[@simonsays5569]

@@Sloth55Chunk no not at all. The argument about exposure is just a distraction to hold on to it forever .

[@steppen3838]

@@Sloth55Chunk what do you mean? The bronzes should and will be taken to the place it was stolen from. The Benin kingdom is the owner of the bronzes. Period. It was kept well before they were forcefully taken away. They are simply Edo properties.

[@Nick-hb4pm]

Boycott the British museum until they’ve returned every stolen artifact

[@ayo123]

@Banff 2020 I'm not paying to see my own heritage lol

[@jimrodgers172]

Great idea.

[@chindit6784]

Boycott the British museum until there's nothing in it 🤡

[@Phiko482]

It will not work. All African artifacts simply need to be returned period.

[@flatearth9140]

OK KAREN !! NIGERIA CANT EVEN PROTECT ITS SCHOOLGIRLS !! HOW FAST DO YOU THINK THESE ANCIENT RELICS WILL LAST ?

[@hallaali1887]

About time!

[@noway5471]

About time for what?

[@Abyssosdarkos]

@Xiao wong Bidensteinberg yes indeed 💯

[@hussainahmed2633]

Can we also return the Kohinoor diamond in the queens crown back to where it was also stolen from!

[@Anon-xd3cf]

He's concerned as to whether or not these plundered pieces will be properly displayed after being returned...? Really? The majority of these plundered artifacts held by Britain are NOT on display. There are in fact TOO MANY for the uk to have them all on permanent display and as such the vast majority of these items are kept locked away in storage. The UK holds enough plundered treasure, that if returned, every country from which items were taken...could open a museum to hold and display those items.

[@flatearth9140]

NIGERIA CANT EVEN PROTECT ITS SCHOOLGIRLS !! HOW FAST DO YOU THINK THESE ANCIENT RELICS WILL LAST ?

[@markmooch]

Give it all back.

[@noway5471]

Yeah because Africa is known for their great ways of conserving their heritage hahahaha

[@noway5471]

@Zombie Sherlock You never heard of a period of limitation? God you are truly ignorant; probably some antifa with a keyboard I recon

[@mohsinwaqar1224]

@@noway5471 maybe cuz u destroyed it

[@jimmy2minutes]

@Xiao wong Bidensteinberg yep. Lose the battle there is a cost. Tough.

[@igodohealth9884]

@@jimmy2minutes It wasn't a battle. It was a m.a.s.a.sacre for economic & political gains.

[@Jstar697]

V&A should return the looted treasures from Amhara region of Magdalena Ethiopia.

[@saxglend9439]

You're going back

[@cytkl]

@Jaijames Pennycuick and pale too should leave alkebulan

[@BoggWeasel]

"Return what you have stolen from me !" The British museum also has the so called "Elgin marbles".. carved marbles literally ripped off the walls of the Parthenon in Greece, they should be returned too.

[@saxglend9439]

You should be returned.

[@zion3335]

naaaah,.....only non white countries are covered.....their commie guidance rule book says its only for developing, preferably darker skinned countries.....ask these college commies about seeking reparations' from arab countries, who perpetuated the biggest slave trade in africa.....they scatter and hide in their safe spaces.....

[@janewhite6858]

@c r I was just thinking something very similar, as long as all these items are documented and replicated, for future generations, who cares where they are. Knowing about history is more important than arguing about it, life is short...

[@salamjihad3449]

@@zion3335 LOL YOUR SO RIGHT !!!

[@cellbiologyshorts9105]

Credit to them

[@sleepyhallows6572]

They’re doing what they should be doing anyways. ✊🏾🇳🇬

[@redbird9658]

Yes Greece wants its marbles back.

[@williamh5780]

Molon labe

[@Geambasu169]

@Mr Alfred Barnaby and the British Empire win world treasures when killed so many.

[@emmanuelervin5035]

Y'all don't descend from Greeks or Romans, they hated y'all.

[@redbird9658]

@@emmanuelervin5035 who exactly is "yall"?

[@redbird9658]

@@steveanon2053 No they were stolen like most artefacts in those days. Carried home as relics like many egyptian treasures.

[@NUSKOOLMUZIK]

Africa should make sure that's the real one never can be too careful

[@victormpapuluu6497]

True

[@flatearth9140]

THAT DOESNT MATTER !!! NIGERIA CANT EVEN PROTECT ITS SCHOOLGIRLS !! HOW FAST DO YOU THINK THESE ANCIENT RELICS WILL LAST ?

[@Misclaneous]

I think equivalent objects for people to consider would be parts of the crown jewels, or the magna carta. If these things were gifted to another country, tough luck, can't really walk back on that one. But if they were stolen, there would absolutely be riteous indignation and a demand for them to be returned. Imagine that the shoe is on the other foot before wading in on this one.

[@HilaryB.]

The Magna Carta is English, signed by King John in the 13th century. Who are we supposed to be giving it back to?

[@Misclaneous]

@@HilaryB. It was a hypothetical. If it was stolen, maybe by the French or Spanish, we would want it back.

[@PKP1]

Return all looted goods to all their rightful creators and owners.

[@magicmagus1459]

Indian Museum in Kolkata, the oldest in India, was created by westerners. Want to give that back. The Indian parliament was built by westerners want to return that. what about Anna University, the college in Madras? or the Mumbai Opera House? Taj mahal was enhanced by the British, want to talk about that?Easy to make blanket statements.

[@ayo123]

@@magicmagus1459 yes they should return everything including the mines they built in africa. Let's see how well they do without the resources

[@simonsays5569]

@@magicmagus1459 well how about returning all the money looted ? and then we would gladly return all the buildings

[@salamjihad3449]

FOOLISH !!

[@flatearth9140]

NIGERIA CANT EVEN PROTECT ITS SCHOOLGIRLS !! HOW FAST DO YOU THINK THESE ANCIENT RELICS WILL LAST ?

[@blackaigle5702]

then they will say African has no history. Smh

[@thomas79marshall]

It doesn't have much history to be fair. Doesn't even have it's own written language.

[@RHR199X]

@@thomas79marshall you say that yet there are so many of them

[@thomas79marshall]

@@RHR199X There is only one Africa.

[@RHR199X]

@@thomas79marshall and it varies wildly

[@1oriss]

Oh they do have history, a long one of enslaving their own people for centuries, this is however erased from the story of slavery to shame the white man into thinking its their history only

[@michealcurrie8272]

Give them back, the Elgin marbles. Also, looted.

[@doubleplusgoodthinker9434]

This is garbage. Lord Elgin came across the Ottoman Turks (who were in occupation of Athens), breaking up the marbles and other treasures to make ammunition for their cannons. He managed to buy some of them off the Turks and so saved them for posterity. The Greeks just stood by. They do not deserve them back. They are better off in the British Museum where they can be seen and enjoyed by all. I went to Parthenon recently and it is still a wreck.

[@daniellebisset4449]

@@doubleplusgoodthinker9434 The Parthenon is a wreck because it is nearly two and a half thousand years old... find me another building of the same age that is in better condition...

[@doubleplusgoodthinker9434]

@@daniellebisset4449 I am pretty certain that if it was in the UK (I wish it was) it would have been restored and protected and probably covered over as our climate is inclement. When I saw it they said they were going to restore it but there was no sign of anything been done other than a wire fence around it. There was rubble strewn everywhere. It looked as if the Turks had just left.

[@pidge30]

Elgin paid £500,000 for them from the Ottoman Turks - who were smashing the Greek artefacts - do your research Plz - before running your gums .🕊Peace Brother

[@pidge30]

Major General Pitt Rivers plundered Benin - I’ve been in antique trade 45 years - you cannot get a better provenance than ex- Pitt rivers collection .

[@letsjustdoitdoit8614]

Please also return Benin sovereignty. Benin was a sovereign nation before the British came. They came to kill, destroy and place Benin kingdom under the Fulani/ wazobia government without our knowledge.

[@nationmediatv1347]

We Beni's need all our artifacts back to Benin city Nigeria, Oba hatoKpere ise!!!

[@flatearth9140]

NIGERIA CANT EVEN PROTECT ITS SCHOOLGIRLS !! HOW FAST DO YOU THINK THESE ANCIENT RELICS WILL LAST ?

[@richardosasosasere8704]

We need our bronzes back to Benin City Nigeria 🇳🇬,

[@salamjihad3449]

SO THE LEADERS CAN TAKE THEM ? LOL DONT BE SO STUPID !!

[@nadege1102]

What took them so long?

[@XLR_8]

Well done it's the right thing to do ✅

[@donisede8563]

Great Benin Kingdom I am proud to be an Edo man Obaghatokpere Isee ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿

[@emmanuelnosa8239]

Isèè

[@Anon-xd3cf]

Wait... You mean to tell me these African Countries didn't actually willingly part with their historical treasures? Well I never...

[@flatearth9140]

NIGERIA CANT EVEN PROTECT ITS SCHOOLGIRLS !! HOW FAST DO YOU THINK THESE ANCIENT RELICS WILL LAST ?

[@richardosasosasere8704]

We Africa need all our artifacts back to Benin City Nigeria, thank u 🙏

[@marshhen]

Alot of it is in the museum at Oxford. Time to return them all to Nigeria. They have constructed a museum to hold the thousands of Benin master works in bronze that Britain stole from there. It is simple. Return them. There is NO benefit to them being displayed in London and Berlin rather than in the context where they belong.

[@jimmy2minutes]

The fact they are there, is the only reason they exist. Give it 20 years, all gone.

[@jimmy2minutes]

British foreign aid Bill to Nigeria. 2019. £ 258 Million. I think you have a cheek!

[@grahamt5924]

The fact that anyone can see them id that they are in London. Once they are in Nigeria, noone will see them anymore, becuase its to dangerous to travel there. Lol.

[@goodlucktryingtoguessmynam9720]

@@grahamt5924 depends on the part of Nigeria. Benin itself is relatively safe compared to other parts of the country. And may I remind you that Nigeria is very big. More than twice the size of the UK

[@goodlucktryingtoguessmynam9720]

@@jimmy2minutes Nigeria has a GDP of 480 billion and purchasing power of over 1trillion.

[@faithlesshound5621]

The British Museum has 100 bronzes on display and another 800 in storage? Hard to argue that they need all of them, unless they have a major research programme going on. But to send any of them back apparently requires an Act of Parliament. Unlike the British Library (formerly British Museum Library) which has been selling off scientific and technical books for years (and deleting them from its catalogues). The international treaties that allowed the return of art works stolen by the Nazis during WWII had their parameters carefully set so as to exclude most of the earlier colonial looting. As a result art works stolen in our time have to remain hidden for 50 or more years before they can be seen or sold in public: because of course our great auction houses have been fencing stolen goods for centuries.

[@lenabo9929]

We shouldn't shy away from returning it. That doesnt mean it has to be everything. As I feel maintaining some illustrated the negatives of empire.

[@flatearth9140]

NIGERIA CANT EVEN PROTECT ITS SCHOOLGIRLS !! HOW FAST DO YOU THINK THESE ANCIENT RELICS WILL LAST ?

[@emmanuelnosa8239]

It must be everything..

[@markeddowes1467]

And the emperors summer palace objects from China?

[@oliverknox4391]

Keith Harris won't be happy about them giving Orvil back.

[@larstenfaelt1859]

It is time for Britain to once and for all understand that the Imperial age, where UK was controlling almost 25% of the world 100myears ago, was is gon and was built on entitlement and grabbing. This is long gon but the artifacts and Brexit is both a sign that this is not understood. UK is just one country and need to rely on friends and bring friends...

[@gary8306]

Wtf dude.

[@radbennie]

Return it all!!! This makes me so angry there is cultural treasures out there that should be returned.

[@joyetinosa6965]

@Deepthi Rupasinghe let africa go you are the problem of africa your Country was biuld by blood.

[@salamjihad3449]

@@joyetinosa6965 MANY AFRICAN COUNTRIES WERE BUILT ON BLOOD !! SHOULD THEY GIVE ALL WHAT THEY STOLE TOO? FOOL !!

[@gareth449]

maybe the holding of some of these things saved them , but sending things back could mean they are lost forever being sold by corrupt governments or destroyed in rebellions and wars .

[@eolay4411]

These people are autonomous over their own heritage and cultural items. It's not for us to tell them what to do with it. I'm not gona take over someone's buisness because I'm worried they'll run it to the ground... Make it make sense.

[@sunitathind8440]

Really pleased, great outcome, British Museum should follow.

[@flatearth9140]

NIGERIA CANT EVEN PROTECT ITS SCHOOLGIRLS !! HOW FAST DO YOU THINK THESE ANCIENT RELICS WILL LAST ?

[@PetaloudesTouYialou]

The British Museum can return the Marbles too.

[@saxglend9439]

As long as you go with them.

[@markeddowes1467]

Excellent ......à just return home! Takes Scots to be aware of the value of your culture!

[@sammuller8331]

When the city was conquered they were taken as spoils of War. Don't down play it. You are disrespecting the soldiers who fought and suffered in that battle. Sense Greeks and Romans non military have tried and have put stigma on spoils of War.

[@emmanuelnosa8239]

You've been so brainwashed by your grandparents hence your inability to see and realize the degree of their atrocious crimes to the ancient kingdom of BENIN.

[@gumnaamaadmi007]

Aren’t ALL the items in the British Museum stolen?

[@saxglend9439]

No

[@nickmiller76]

No

[@cytkl]

They have no interesting paßt to Display. Only conquering legacy of bloodshed

[@janewhite6858]

@@cytkl JW Turner, Gainborough

[@kazkazzie3906]

The queen's jewels too!

[@jimrodgers172]

The British have a moral obligation to return the African art.Will it happen? probably not.

[@gary8306]

Good.

[@flatearth9140]

NIGERIA CANT EVEN PROTECT ITS SCHOOLGIRLS !! HOW FAST DO YOU THINK THESE ANCIENT RELICS WILL LAST ?

[@roisinmalone3015]

From Ireland Give us back our bell that's in the British museum.

[@thomas79marshall]

Bono?

[@roisinmalone3015]

@@thomas79marshall Why would Bono be in the British museum? No, a Catholic bell belonging to a Monk

[@jimmy2minutes]

Yeah and my family owned Roscommon in Ireland, before the British murdered the family and took it. I want to be king of Roscommon again!

[@roisinmalone3015]

@@jimmy2minutes Ok What has that to do with artifacts stolen by Britain? Unless Roscommon is in the British museum, but it's not. The bell was very valuable.

[@jimmy2minutes]

@@roisinmalone3015 well it looks like our land eventually ended up back in the hands of the EU and the Irish government. Not very quick to hand it back. Worth a bit more than a bell. Which might be mine as well. So l will have that too.

[@francescapowell1538]

Finally.

[@noway5471]

Finally what ? Finally STUPID - yes !

[@shadowlessgam]

@@noway5471 finally at least one of these institutions have decided to grow a conscience and return some of the antiquities they stole.

[@francescapowell1538]

@@noway5471 Talking about yourself?

[@francescapowell1538]

@Xiao wong Bidensteinberg And all the wonderful creative Asians should go back too don’t you agree XIAO WONG. Even the largest diamond that the British hold isn’t theirs that ought to go right back to India too. Then again they brainwashed the Indians so hard that they gave away their treasures for free.

[@francescapowell1538]

@@shadowlessgam The two other people that replied on here are racist trolls. No point in even trying to discuss with them. Ignorant grunts that they are.

[@mstt3530]

If they want to keep it, they better pay.

[@gaz9957]

Like the Brits paid when they stole them?

[@mstt3530]

@@gaz9957 paid and stole in the same sentence. 🧐. The British didn’t pay for them, they forcibly removed them during colonialism. There’s a difference.

[@gaz9957]

@@mstt3530 Yes, I'm glad you agree. And much like the art that the Nazis plundered during WW2, it is well past time that these artefacts were repatriated to where they came from.

[@sirhumphreyappleby8399]

@@gaz9957 Most of the Nazis looted because they wanted things - pure greed. most of these items ended up being studied, curated, displayed and written about. All of that contributed massively to man's understanding. To put that on a plain with the Nazis is something only an oik would think of doing.

[@gaz9957]

@@sirhumphreyappleby8399 You're ignorant of history. The expedition in to Benin was paid for by auctioning off Benin's heritage to the highest bidder. Regardless, what right do white Europeans have to hold on to Africa's stolen culture? Are you implying that black people are incapable of studying, curating and displaying their own culture?

[@BritishMoralHQ]

grampian for the win

[@taqiyasir8086]

I am very sorry but I don’t trust the Nigerian government to look after them and it would be better if they stay in a politically stable nation like UK. The government of Nigeria has a lot of corruption and a lot of mismanagement will occur when it comes to looking after these arts.

[@emmanuelnosa8239]

That shouldn't be a problem to you. These items belong not to government of Nigeria but to the kingdom of BENIN.

[@2ndviolin]

Elgin marbles!!

[@zhanglin3265]

Can the return of the looted treasures recover the birthplace of a divine consciousness and human divine consciousness?

[@flatearth9140]

CAN WE RETURN YOU BACK TO THE LOONY BIN ?

[@1coolworld]

People say BOYCOTT the museum, i regualrly have been to museums for decades ..Almost never an African or arabic looking face in the attendees

[@bodanacam]

You should have given back the diamond and gold not the bronze

[@daguywhoknowz2638]

What about the 💎s?

[@patrickpedro6458]

Returned it with the sum of £500b dollars

[@The_Dikes]

I think it should be returned when the Edo museum of arts has being built, I am just not confident it will be built or that sculptures of such huge value will be properly maintained in Nigeria

[@The_Dikes]

@Xiao wong Bidensteinberg it’s a good point for sure but if moving these historical artefacts will not directly benefit the Benin locals then what good is it to have something that has no local value back without the conditions that they actually build that museum which should at least create jobs for the locals as I am not optimistic the museum will be built and in the end it will end up in another millionaires hands

[@DonInADress]

There is already a museum in Benin City in Nigeria housing very well the Bronzes that were not looted. The new museum will just be a nice upgrade but the current museum has been functioning well since the 80's. Do pay it a visit and have more faith in Nigerians!

[@The_Dikes]

@@DonInADress Well that’s good to know and thanks for educating me but it’s never about Nigerians because I am one and I am entitled to my own view based off my experiences, so hey you can’t blame me for not having faith in the system that has let down many well meaning Nigerians, otherwise good to know this is different!

[@MmaYambiu]

@@DonInADress Been there in the 90s and I was blown

[@Obi_boy]

Hopefully the countries look after these items, it's not the case in Egypt, the Egyptian government just let's it's cultural items rot

[@DonInADress]

And if they dont, why is it your business?

[@Obi_boy]

@@DonInADress these items are humanities heritage. .... they don't belong to people simply because they were born in the same location as the people who created them 100s of years ago

[@DonInADress]

@@Obi_boy you clearly know nothing about these specific items! And the AUDACITY or rather CAUCACITY of you to say that they belong to all of humanity?! These bronzes were looted from the palace of a king in 1897. They belong to that kingdom and court which is still very much in prominence today. The direct traceable decedents of that court and kingdom are alive today. Imagine if Queen Victoria’s possessions were stolen and displayed in stupid museums millions of miles away a the country that stole her possessions said “nah this stuff belongs to all of humanity” 🙄

[@user-fe5vb4oz3o]

Taiwan also has a museum full of stolen objects from chinese people

[@markeddowes1467]

And the Romans looting of the temple in Jerusalem and carting EVERYTHING back to Rome? Thai’s sacking Angkor etc.etc.etc.

[@kuchikopi4631]

Oh yea, let's put the spot light on someone else....

[@tpower1912]

Lol deleting comments who disagree. Classic Channel 4

[@wiredblitzen]

Give it back... So it can disappear within a year😅

[@osadoloredenene9127]

The Benin are not really happy in what happened in 1897

[@beyondthehorizon1474]

I truly appreciate this. The thing is, at the moment, Nigeria, is not a secure nation, nor, in my strict opinion, does it have a competent political class capable of truly taking good care and secure possession of the artifacts. The corruption and lawlessness will be exploited and I believe it will be, something will happen to them. I love Nigeria, but this current crop of elite cannot cut it and be trusted with such things. Arrangements ought to be made in the mean time that make sense for assured and secure hand over of the artefacts to its rightful owners. Thank you. amin jesu

[@mar-o5473]

It’s nigeria’s to do with however they please that’s just an excuse you’ve given not to do the right thing

[@beyondthehorizon1474]

@@mar-o5473 can i hear the whispers of a simpleton?

[@igodohealth9884]

Pure arrogance! What gives you the right to make this call? No doubt this is the same coloniser, racist mindset that led to the destruction of the Great Benin Empire, in the 1st instance.

[@mar-o5473]

@@beyondthehorizon1474 yes you can you just need to whisper to yourself😜

[@beyondthehorizon1474]

@@mar-o5473 haha gd1

[@marcostation1000]

england has a horrible problem they dont produce art at all like Spain France or Italy. so if the english send back the art their museums will be empty for ever

[@nkeiruka5930]

marco mac not Africa problem. We want the artefact back were they belong.

[@jazztheglass6139]

Shakespeare, chaucer, constable, Christopher wren, Turner, lucien freud, Francis bacon, Gainsborough, reynolds, Henry moore, Elgar, Purcell, John Nash We never got conquered by moors, like Spain and parts of Italy or overthrown by proto communists like france. The benin bronzes are brass, notice there is no green oxidisation that bronze gets. The brass was traded with the Portuguese for slaves prior to becoming a British protectorate.

[@betterwithwinebetterwithwi2359]

We are going to need the queen's throne to the gold the diamonds the rubies

[@flatearth9140]

@Natural_Stay_Beauty_ Forever WE SHOULD SEND YOU BACK TO THE LOONYBIN !! LOL

[@guff9567]

419 at it again. Can't they just leave us alone?

[@igodohealth9884]

Too little, too late. The judgement of the Most High God is underway.

[@flatearth9140]

NIGERIA CANT EVEN PROTECT ITS SCHOOLGIRLS !! HOW FAST DO YOU THINK THESE ANCIENT RELICS WILL LAST ?

[@therange4033]

The reason the virus ends up with the young last is because the young have active, good immune systems. We ain't seen nothing yet.

[@borninthewoods4482]

WTF!

[@spooked7952]

Artefacts and farty acts.

[@spooked7952]

I've given the bottle of vodka I nicked back to morrisons. Mind you, half of it has gone.

[@b.alexanderjohnstone9774]

So long as it is looked after in Nigeria and at easy access, yes, agree. But this has to be case by case basis. I realise some will disagree.

[@jimmy2minutes]

Won't last 10 minutes pal. Sold off . And you know it.

[@ebhomielenross1317]

after them use it to make money nonsense

[@peterhind9401]

Return everything and everyone back to their ancestral homeland. Now that's an idea worth consideration, isn't it.

[@kuchikopi4631]

America, Australia, Canada, South Africa would be more or less empty XD

[@igodohealth9884]

Great idea! Everyone back to their homeland. No more stealing of natural resources and interference in politics.

[@Deepfake820]

So when we have black history month.... No to see here any more we sent everything back

[@eolay4411]

As a black I'd rather the people have these items for their own history then for it to be at some Scottish uni

[@eolay4411]

@Deepthi Rupasinghe Send black people back even if they were born in this country and know no other place of life??

[@emmanuelervin5035]

@Deepthi Rupasinghe Please do, because y'all none blacks are marked by the Gods.

[@ajaysingpho3395]

British Museum is like market of robbers ( chor bazaar)

[@rickyjohn8584]

They belong in Nigeria

[@flatearth9140]

NIGERIA CANT EVEN PROTECT ITS SCHOOLGIRLS !! HOW FAST DO YOU THINK THESE ANCIENT RELICS WILL LAST ?

[@jokedavidstowe9183]

I think I ought to hand back that tin of soup I half-inched from Lidl last week. This has made me feel so-o-o-o guilty.......

[@juliancoulden1753]

How appropriate to be lectured by the Scots again. The language of the reporter is completely naive and incredibly biased, all woke and racist opinion, which reflects her own uninformed views. The reality is that had these items not been taken, they would almost certainly have been lost. The naivety of the contributors is also breathtaking. Museums are custodians of these objects, return them by all means, and see how they are preserved and looked after. Nigeria can’t even guarantee the safety of its school girls, let alone cultural artefacts, which will probably be looted or destroyed just as the Taliban did in Afghanistan. Ironically it’s American money and skills which are trying to piece together some of the Afghan treasures which were shattered and destroyed. It’s the desperately ghastly west which values these objects far more than the residents of these countries.

[@elom717]

Perfect specimen of an educated racist. Rule Britinnaia and what not!

[@salamjihad3449]

@@elom717 OK LETS GET THESE ARTIFACTS BACK TO NIGERIA ! LOL SAY BYE BYE TO BRONZE BRONZE !! HAHAHA

[@emmanuelnosa8239]

Sometimes it's better to just keep your mouth shut in lieu of talking trash.

[@juliancoulden1753]

@@emmanuelnosa8239 I think you are right, you should try it

[@emmanuelnosa8239]

@@juliancoulden1753 the piece of advice is for you. You Westerners would commit an international crime and still try to justify your actions. Keep your mouth shut because these items do not belong to you. You stole them and keeping them is even a worse crime.

[@davidchapman7878]

It must be remembered of course that Benin itself was a culture where slavery was significant ie.racism against other African tribes. They were also complicit in the Atlantic slave trade. “Holier than thou” history isn’t helpful to what is really not a “conversation”

[@goodlucktryingtoguessmynam9720]

U obviously do not understand the meaning of racism

[@davidchapman7878]

Everything was racist back in the 1890’s. I’m sure if the Islamist tribes in the North , of what eventually became Nigeria under British rule, had reached Benin, the heads would have been melted down. Swings and roundabouts. It is the workings of the shadow of racism and its vicious projections onto others that people of all races have to be aware of and check . Much has been learnt from having these heads in this country and they have contributed to forms of cultural, scientific and historical research, study and knowledge....this should not be belittled.

[@startmakingsense2071]

What has slavery got to do with the looted Benin bronzes?

[@emmanuelnosa8239]

You know nothing about the history of Great Benin Kingdom so just keep mute.

[@janewhite6858]

I think it all began with some explorers being slaughtered but I for one am happy that these items should go back to the country of origin, they mean nothing to me from a cultural point of view and any that have been paid for can be purchased by the government of origin, like our museums and art galleries do. Personally I am not a fan of African art but some are, so if it can be a pull for tourism in the country of origin, then it is all good. Maybe some people who feel strongly about these things can go too and work in the galleries and museums there and start a new cultural hub. I am sure they will be embraced and fit in.

[@cytkl]

Exactly each to their own cultural items..

[@janewhite6858]

@@cytkl Well, yes but we all want to appreciate history and seeing all these objects. I love Egypt and the art and culture so not necessarily talking about all African art and culture but that is beside the point. The thing is to treasure and look after cultural artefacts for future generations...whether we like it or not....doesn't matter where they are as long as they are safe and well documented.

[@cytkl]

@@janewhite6858 why change the past to his Story. The past should be told as it is. Not the fake his Story of trying to make some mutants more relevant than the ancient natives who are the original beings. Otherwise each to their own . The african arts are Ritual objects which for others its just money objects this 2 cultures dont Mix.

[@janewhite6858]

@@cytkl What do you mean original beings...you sound demented...Plenty of beings have been here, we are all descended from what has gone before...what a disgusting thing to say, that said interesting point of view...

[@janewhite6858]

I get what you mean about ritual objects and that is an important point, like we have religious icons in the west which I don't think are allowed to be sold, so are considered priceless... I think that is true but whatever, I think they ought to be returned as was my original point even more so considering the ritual aspect...

[@eddouglas]

Great news

[@veahpereabras6969]

We English should demand the return of all our artifacts that are in Scotland. Can you imagine the Scots complying.

[@salamjihad3449]

LOLL HAVE FUN WITH THAT ONE !! THEY WONT EVEN ANSWER YOUR CALL ON THE PHONE !!

[@jimmy2minutes]

Indian train tracks. Let's have them.

[@faithlesshound5621]

The public buildings of London and the rest of Britain. Built by Irishmen but paid for by the toil of Asians, Africans and Native Americans.

[@jimmy2minutes]

@@faithlesshound5621 I think they got paid.

[@jimmy2minutes]

@@faithlesshound5621 My family owned Roscommon in Ireland before the British murdered them all. And took it. I want to be King of Roscommon again!

[@jimmy2minutes]

@@faithlesshound5621 didn't see anyone clubbing together around the world to pay our bill from WW2. Once we saved their back sides. Everything would be in the hands of the Nazis now, and every black man dead or slaves. And thats a fact! No need to thank us.

[@faithlesshound5621]

@@jimmy2minutes One of England's more absurd myths is that it "stood alone" during WWII. How many black and brown men fought and died for Britain, France and the USA? They were often excluded from publicity for home consumption, and later on Hollywood (etc) rarely hired black extras to represent them. What thanks did they get? After the war, the commission that looked after soldiers' cemeteries in Africa saw no need to preserve or mark black men's graves. Food and raw materials also poured in from the empires. Fighting took place all around the world, and even where it did not, the people endured privation to supply the allies' home populations and their armies.

[@triciacol]

Aberdeen University should put those plans on hold until the Nigerian Embassy pay their Parking Fines.

[@faithlesshound5621]

In London? If diplomatic immunity means anything, it must mean not having to pay fines for parking, or anything else.

[@kingneldon7881]

How about reparations for violating our sovereignty and plundering our empire.

[@paulhoskin3286]

They only want it back because its valuable

[@anneeq008]

They're not British. All your ref herrings are therefore irrelevant

[@bruce1437]

Such a silly thing to say

[@JammieJohnny1]

We only stole it because its valuable.

[@jo18533]

@@JammieJohnny1 'We'? How old are you?

[@jo18533]

@@anneeq008 Who isn't British?

[@richardneedham13]

C4news = racebaiterscentral

[@bearsagainstevil]

Benin was a big supporter of the slave trade so well done returning things to slavers

[@eolay4411]

Does mean modern people of Benin should not have their cultural historical heritage back. My question is the reason and motivation for saying such thing?

[@igodohealth9884]

That was the lie perpetrated to justify the horrific destruction of Great Benin Empire. It really was about economic and political gains. Remember Saddam & Quadaffi have wmd? Old tricks,same aims!

[@emmanuelnosa8239]

Perhaps you're talking about the kingdom of Dahomey(present-day Benin Republic) but definitely not the ancient kingdom of BENIN.

[@Deepfake820]

First they send the objects back and next they'll be sending the people.

[@faithlesshound5621]

Berlin has already sent back hundreds of skulls collected by Hitler's favourite "anthropologist" from his death camp in South-West Africa a few years after the British seizure of Benin. But the complete corpses of children he also sent had probably not been preserved.

[@israeldiegoriveragenius2th164]

No to forced or coerced vaccines, no to vaccine passports. Disgraceful

[@trommelbiel]

I am from Nigeria. I now live in the UK. Whiteman please kindly keep those works of art or whatever. They are in better hands with you. Nigerians will not be able to look after it.

[@trommelbiel]

@Xiao wong Bidensteinberg l understand what you mean but l can assure you they are going to sell them eventually so better to have them displayed in the western world.

[@emmanuelervin5035]

Your azz ain't Nigerian, you are white.

[@trommelbiel]

@@emmanuelervin5035 1 am 100% Nigerian. Both Father and mother. My real home is Biafra, though.