9 Artifacts That Should Be Returned to Their Home Countries

Elgin Marbles: These are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures, inscriptions, and architectural pieces that originally adorned the Parthenon and other ancient buildings on the Acropolis of Athens.

Rosetta Stone: Found in Egypt in 1799, the Rosetta Stone is a stele inscribed with a decree issued at Memphis in 196 BC on behalf of King Ptolemy V. It is currently displayed in the British Museum.

Benin Bronzes: These are a group of brass plaques and sculptures that were looted during the Benin Expedition of 1897 from the Kingdom of Benin (modern-day Nigeria).

Moai Statues: These are large monolithic human figures carved by the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Chile.

Koh-i-Noor Diamond: Originally from India, this diamond is part of the British Crown Jewels. Its ownership has been a contentious issue between India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.

Machu Picchu Artifacts: Numerous artifacts and skeletal remains excavated from the Machu Picchu site in Peru are held in various museums, primarily in the United States and Europe.

Nefertiti Bust: This is a painted limestone bust of Nefertiti, the Great Royal Wife of Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten. It is currently housed in the Neues Museum in Berlin, Germany.

Pergamon Altar: This monumental altar dedicated to Zeus and Athena was originally located in the ancient Greek city of Pergamon (modern-day Bergama, Turkey).

Hoa Hakananai’a: A basalt statue from Easter Island, currently housed in the British Museum in London. It is believed to have been taken from the island in 1868.

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