Abstract
The Parthenon Marbles, also known as Elgin Marbles, are a collection of ancient Greek sculptures from the temple of Athena. Currently, tourists can view these marble sculptures in the British Museum. The Elgin Marbles are among several controversial artifacts in a broader repatriation debate as experts argue the importance of the preservation of these sculptures. These sculptures specifically play a fundamental role in demonstrating ancient Greek civilization and cultural greatness. This paper explores the history of the Elgin Marbles and the various arguments between Greece and the British Museum regarding their rightful location. Through my investigation, I found that these arguments fall into three categories: legality of the sculptures, cultural importance, and protection. There is no definite solution to this debate, but the investigation allowed me to have a broader perspective on repatriating this issue and I can apply the same critical thinking in acknowledging both sides of other controversial debates.
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