Disputed Antiquities

Who Owns History?
"Source" nations like Greece, Italy and Egypt are increasingly seeking the return of national treasures that they say were removed improperly from their territory. For Greece the most important issue is the Elgin Marbles, presently held by the British Museum in London, but once affixed to the Parthenon (above), the iconic temple of Athena built in the 5th century B.C. In this picture workmen in Athens do a test run before moving Parthenon marbles that are still in the possession of Greece to a new museum at the foot of the Acropolis.

• Who Owns the Past?