Distinction Without a Difference? Natural vs. Cultural Heritage in the Spotlight of Restitution Claims

Description

The extent to which museums have been affected by the recent 'turn to restitution' is highly dependent on whether they house cultural or natural artifacts. The underlying assumption, sometimes tacit, sometimes vocally expressed, is that there is something apolitical, sterile about natural heritage which immunises it against allegedly partisan or nationalist restitution claims. This talk calls that assumption into question. In particular, it argues that the distinction between natural and cultural heritage under international law hardly has any bearing on the issue of restitution. Instead, it proposes to consider restitution claims as valid if they concern objects that enjoy a certain scientific, cultural, or otherwise significant human appreciation, and to which the claimant has a sufficient affiliation. This approach replaces the mistaken dichotomy 'cultural vs. natural' with a more nuanced perspective that aligns with the relevant international legal framework and opens up space for constructive conversations about the restitution of the broadest possible range of objects.

Period	13 Mar 2025
Event title	Online lecture series "Heritage & Justice. Unpacking Legal Narratives in Natural History"
Event type	Other
Degree of Recognition	International