Episode 109: What social, legal and political factors determine whether returns of a cultural heritage object take place?

The Arch and Anth Podcast

Today, Pierre Losson (The City University of New York) is on the podcast to speak about cultural heritage, restitution, nationalism and cultural policy, UNESCO and Indigenous communities.

Some of Pierre's latest work looks at the reasons why three Latin American states (specifically Colombia, Mexico, and Peru) claim the return of cultural heritage objects from holding institutions in the North Atlantic, such as museums and universities. What does the literature of the past focus on, in terms of returns and restitutions, and how does Pierre see previous arguments possibly being elaborated upon?

Furthermore, Pierre helps us understand the history of return claims and how they tie into international agreements and national histories. What motivates various actors and stakeholders (experts, the state, Indigenous communities, holding institutions) to form and resolve return claims or not? How does this research in political science help us understand some current claims that are made over heritage objects today and which we may have seen in recent news?

You can find more information in the show notes under the episode on our website.

If you have feedback or questions for Pierre, he is on Twitter and more information on his work can be found on ResearchGate and Academia.edu.

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