Returning historical artefacts: IELTS essay ideas

There is a long-running debate about whether historical artefacts held in foreign museums should be sent back to their countries of origin. While both sides have strong arguments, I believe that return is the fairer solution in most cases.

Those who favour return say that these objects belong to the people and country that produced them. Many were taken during colonial periods, often by force, and keeping them is seen as a continuing injustice. Returning them would also allow local scholars and communities to study and display them in their historical setting, and to connect with their own past. The campaign for the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece and of the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria illustrates how strongly people feel about this.

On the other hand, supporters of the museums argue that major institutions such as the British Museum protect and exhibit objects for millions of people, many of whom would never be able to visit the countries concerned. A world-class collection under one roof gives a wide audience an understanding of different civilisations. Some museums also say that items were legally acquired, and that countries with political instability or limited resources may not have the conditions needed to preserve fragile pieces. Looting during conflicts, as happened in Iraq, makes this concern understandable.

In my opinion, objects that were obviously stolen or taken unfairly should be returned, as justice matters more than convenience. Other items could be shared through long-term loans, touring exhibitions or digital copies, so that people everywhere can still see them. International cooperation on training and storage would help reassure museums about security.

In conclusion, museums do valuable work, but history cannot be ignored, and returning artefacts that were taken unfairly is the right course of action.