Hosted by Lydia Wilson
Directed by Mikey Andreasson
Script Supervised by Mindi Roscoe
The British Museum has long resisted calls to return artifacts — from the Benin Bronzes to the Parthenon Marbles — acquired during the height of the British Empire, often under dubious circumstances. Despite pressure from governments, the public and celebrities like Stephen Fry, the museum maintains that its collection should remain intact, even though only 1% of its 8 million artifacts are on display. New Lines Culture Editor Lydia Wilson explores the complex debate over decolonizing Western museums. Can the British Museum reconcile its colonial history with its role as a beloved institution and tourist destination? The tension between cultural restitution and preservation of the world’s most iconic collections continues.