Statements

The British Museum is often involved in events, research or a topic that becomes the subject of public discussion. This section provides key information for understanding these complex issues.

The Lewis Chessmen

Takes a look at the history, discovery and display of the Lewis Chessmen.

Parthenon sculptures

Provides key information for understanding the complex history of the Parthenon and its sculpture.

World War II provenance

Describes the research all departments in the British Museum carry out into the provenance of their collections to establish whether anything could have been stolen by the Nazis prior to acquisition.

Iraq war

There is a pressing need for action to protect and preserve the Iraqi cultural heritage, particularly conservation work on sites, monuments and material in museums and libraries.

Human remains

This section provides information about the nature of the human remains in the British Museum’s collection, the circumstances in which the Trustees would accept any claim, and gives guidance on the procedures to be followed by those seeking to submit a claim for the return of human remains in the Museum collection.

The crystal skull

Information about a life-size carving of a human skull made from a single block of rock crystal.

Art and cultural objects on loan from abroad

This section provides information about works of art and cultural objects on loan from abroad to temporary exhibitions that are recommended for protection under Part 6 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcements Act 2007 (protection of cultural objects on loan).