Museums

[Saft]

Now this question is more on the broader level of what you think of Museums.  I am not actually asking if you like museums and thus whilst the responses of  such things like; 'I love museums' or 'I hate museums they are like so boring' are good, I'd like a deeper aspect in the answer.  Which makes me sound like a teacher.

Okay, well the idea of this thread is based mainly on behalf of  my own curiosity  in regards to a recent lecture in which the lecturer mentioned that there are some parties who are against the idea of museums as the artefacts are not native to the land and thus be returned to were it originally came from.  Although he was being specific in the point that he referred to the British Museum (which, by the way, if you ever visit England it is highly recommended ), I think it applies to a more broader scope of museums that are located around the world.  

He stressed that the idea that archaeologists and museums 'disrupt' the whole aspect of preservation of artefacts in the natural environment of their location.  After all archaeologists basically 'destroy' the site area when digging that it apparenty the finds do not reflect the more 'wider' aspect of the site and thus prevents the 'appreciation' of that specific time period.  Is relatively in my opinion not exactly true.  

The idea of artefacts in the museum is a reflection of popular culture, the modern world need to link with the specific time period through a variety of interests that is a broad scope depending on the person and thus because of that interest (and although I may be extremely biased) should be encouraged and appreciated that the majority of the population will have some sort of interest in a particular time period and/or aspect of history and that is all down thanks to archaeological evidence (that have apparently destroyed the original site and thus the appreciation for the time period, as metnioned above   : ) and the perservation of museums have helped to encourage a variety of people of all ages in aspects of history.

Indeed it it also important that the preservation of the museums itself helps to convey interest in the aspects of history....what i mean is, that the preservation of artefacts through the protection that is offered by the musuems has helped for the survival of these artefacts.  While some countries like Greece for example with the Elyesian Marbles, while there is still an ongoing massive debate in regards to returning the artefact the fact that there isn't much of a preservation in regards to artefacts is quite pronouced (although apparently that is according to the BRITISH museum and thus may be highly mixed to say "  you can't have the marbles'')and thus they are better off protected in a museum than in comparison to putting the marbles back in place as a restoration, although this point is a bit of a question as why can't the marbles go to the Athenian museum?  

However, in conculsion since I've already turned this into one long and possibly confusing point, I think Musuems are a good idea since they do preserve artefacts and encourage people's interest.  Since without it there would not be that many people who are interested in the many aspects of history that has happened on Earth.    Yeah, this has turned into a long post...sorry about that   , just that if i have more to say on something I'll post a lot.

Thanks to any responses.

[The Friendly Sharptooth]

I believe that museums have the right to display artifacts from other countries. Leaving things in the ground or in the open to be slowly destroyed by the weather and decomposition is not my idea of a good idea. In America, we study and appreciate other cultures through school classes like world history. It is important to know not just our own ways and style but those of others. Countries have as much right to display artifacts of other countries as the ones who originally had the items. Other counties should be flattered by the interest outside museums express to display their artifacts.

Museums are a great way to increase people’s interest in history. Reading a history book on a war is not as effective in getting one’s attention as observing a real tank that was once in that war. A lot of people have interests in other countries but don’t have the means to travel. Museums are an easy window to read knowledge and see sights of the outside world. Just like eating at a Chinese restaurant lets you experience what dining is like in China, museums are a way to get to know other cultures.

A museum fighting to display outside artifacts reminds me of the common mindset of Disney princesses, like Ariel, Jasmine, and Kiara. They wanted more than just the tiny little spot they were confined it. They wanted to see other and experience other things. Museums displaying things from other countries is a wide path to knowledge and understanding. Saying no to such displays is like saying no to someone wanting to visit another country. Many people are not satisfied with just getting to know their own country, and museums that share other countries are the key to helping those people.

I hope I didn’t misunderstand the point of this thread. If I did, it was certainly not your fault, but my own simple-mindedness. Nice combination of an easy and challenging thread this evening.

[Saft]

I agree..that is what my point is...although I doubt that i worded it properly.  I'll add more later...I'm rather burnt out.