There was an enormous debate about whether they were quote any good and whether they were art. The idea that the Assyrians could possibly be as good as the Athenians was anathema, just not a chance. And I think it also speaks to just how important the British Museum found Elgin marbles, you know, they worshiped them. That's slightly different now. But the great thing about them being in the British Museum is that you can then go to other cultures through comparison.
Should the British Museum return the Elgin Marbles, taken from the Parthenon in Athens about 200 years ago? What should be the purpose of museums, education or social justice? Listen as Tiffany Jenkins, author of Keeping Their Marbles, discusses these questions and more with EconTalk host Russ Roberts.