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Loot: Stolen Treasurers of the Ancient World

December 3, 2008
Sharon Waxman writer

Sharon Waxman discusses questions of ownership of cultural objects and reads from new her book, Loot: Stolen Treasures of the Ancient World.

Why are the Elgin Marbles in London and not on the Acropolis? If such stunning art objects have admittedly come to Western museums through the heavy hand of 19th century cultural exploitation, do these museums have an ethical responsibility to return them? What if such return harmed these objects because their home country is too poor to maintain, house and protect? What ethical standards should Western museums follow when they obtain art objects from Third World countries? Sharon Waxman addresses these questions and presents her book, Loot: Stolen Treasures of the Ancient World.

WGBH
Cambridge Forum
Image of Loot: The Battle over the Stolen Treasures of the Ancient World
Author: Sharon Waxman
Publisher: Times Books (2008)
Binding: Hardcover, 432 pages
Image of Rebels on the Backlot: Six Maverick Directors and How They Conquered the Hollywood Studio System (P.S.)
Author: Sharon Waxman
Publisher: Harper Perennial (2006)
Binding: Paperback, 448 pages