10 Famous Stolen Artifacts That Are Still on Display in Museums Today

History has left a complex trail of artifacts, some of which ended up far from their original homes. Many of these items were removed during times of colonial expansion, war, or exploration, and while they’re displayed proudly in some of the world’s most famous museums, their presence is controversial. For some, they’re cherished symbols of shared history and culture; for others, painful reminders of loss and appropriation.

Today, these artifacts remain focal points of debate, with many countries actively calling for their return. Here’s a look at some of the most famous items that are still on display, sparking discussions about ownership, cultural heritage, and the ethics of art and history collection.

Elgin Marbles

The Elgin Marbles is a controversial piece in the British Museum. In the early 19th century removed from the Parthenon in Athens, these sculptures from Lord Elgin, and once adorned the Parthenon in Athens. Greece has for some time now denied that Elgin received permission from the Ottoman authorities at the time, insisting the marbles were instead pillaged under dubious circumstances. They say they were legally acquired and the museum has refused to return them.

Benin Bronzes

More than 1,100 Benin Bronzes, a collection of plaques and sculptures from the Kingdom of Benin (modern-day Nigeria), are also scattered around dozens of museums around the world. British forces looted these treasures in the course of a punitive expedition that took place in 1897. Some of the museums which began repatriation have requested their return, and several have yet to be returned — still in places such as the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Bust of Nefertiti

For decades, this stunning bust of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti, in Berlin’s Neues Museum, has been a bone of contention between Germany and Egypt. The artifact was discovered by a German archaeological team in 1912 and Egypt says it was taken under deceptive circumstances. Despite numerous appeals to repatriate her bust, Nefertiti’s remains in Berlin.

Maori Heads

Preserved tattooed heads of Maori people, or mokomokai, have long been displayed in museums in France and elsewhere. In the 19th century, when indigenous peoples’ cultural objects were often seen as curiosities, European collectors took these heads. Many of the mokomokai have been returned to New Zealand in recent years, but there are still many in museums, prompting further restitution.

Rosetta Stone

The most well known artifact in world is the Rosetta Stone housed in the British Museum. It was discovered by French soldiers in Egypt in 1799 and taken to London by British forces after Napoleon’s defeat. The stone, with a decree in three languages, let them make sense of Egyptian hieroglyphs. The British Museum has remained defiant, parading the piece as one of its prized artefacts while Egypt has repeatedly asked for its return.

The Koh-i-Noor Diamond

The Dhanushka or Koh-i-Noor (Pearl of the Sky) in the British Crown Jewels has a history reaching back centuries. The diamond was taken from India in 1849 when the Punjab was annexed by the British. From then on, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran have all staked their claim to the gem. But these claims have not prevented it from being a key part of the British monarchy’s regalia.

The Zodiac Heads

The curled bronze heads of these Chinese zodiac animals were looted from the Old Summer Palace ‘s grounds in Beijing by French and British troops during the Second Opium War. Some of the heads have wound their way back across time, others are held in private collections or in museums including the National Museum of China. The return of the statues has become a symbol of China’s broader attempt to win back lost cultural heritage.

The Sphinx of Taharqo

Summing up the oldest statue of Pharaoh Taharqo with the body of a lion and the head of a man, which is taken from Sudan in the 19th century and being presented in the British Museum. The statue, however, is an important exhibit, and Sudan has asked for its return. Some have criticized the British Museum for keeping it, saying the artifact was stolen under colonial rule.

Priam’s Treasure

Priam’s Treasure is a suite of gold, silver and bronze objects, discovered by German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann in the ruins of ancient Troy. The treasure was later seized by Soviet forces at the end of World War II and put in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow after being taken to Germany. Turkey and Germany have demanded its return, but it is on display in Russia.

The Moai Statues

Of the famed Moai statues from Easter Island, the British Museum also houses one — Hoa Hakananai’a. The Rapa Nui people made these statues long ago and they are considered sacred. The Chilean government, which oversees Easter Island, has been asking for the statue’s return in recent years, saying it belongs with the Rapa Nui people on the island. But the museum has been reluctant to part with it.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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