VOA标准英语2010-Countries Want National Treasures Returne
时间:2019-01-31 作者:英语课 分类:VOA标准英语2010年(四)月
Egypt, Nigeria and Peru are among a group of countries that have put together a "wish list" of disputed cultural artifacts they want brought back to their homelands. At a two-day conference in Cairo, participants argued museums are often the main obstacle to repatriation 1.
Elizabeth Arrott | Cairo 08 April 2010
Photo: Courtesy: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
View of head of the sarcophagus intercepted 2 by U.S. Customs officials in Miami, Florida in 2008
Egyptian authorities recently scored a victory in the return of an ancient artifact. The sarcophagus of Imhesy, a man from pharaonic times, was intercepted in Miami, Florida by an alert U.S. customs agent. Its provenance 3 and final destination were unclear.
But Zahi Hawass, head of Egypt's Supreme 4 Council of Antiquities 5, says “museums are the main source for buying stolen artifacts. If museums stopped ... the theft will be less.” Hawass says 95 percent of museums agreed to stop, but five percent remain holdouts.
“They began to buy stolen artifacts without telling anyone,” he said, “and they do hide the artifacts in the basement of the museum."
At a conference hosted by Hawass in Cairo this week, delegations 6 from around the world vowed 7 to speak with one voice to try to get national treasures back.
But as Peru has found out, it is not just theft that can cause a rift 8 between nations and museums.
Credit: Martin St-Amant/Creative Commons
15th Century Inca Citadel 9 at Machu Picchu, Peru
Peru's Undersecretary for Cultural Foreign Policy, Liliana Cino, said topping her wish list is the return of the treasures of Machu Picchu, the Incan city re-discovered a century ago. Artifacts found at the site were taken to the U.S. for study at Yale University's Peabody Museum. Ambassador Cino said the items were given as a loan, and that “we really hope Yale will keep its word and give our things back.”
Yale has argued it returned the borrowed items, and it rightfully owns the ones it still has.
Some museums holding disputed artifacts argue the items are too fragile to transfer. Others say that some pieces are so iconic, for example the Rosetta Stone, they belong to the world.
The head of Nigeria's Museum and Monuments Commission, Yussef Abdullah Usman, finds that a false argument.
"We are not saying these things should not be enjoyed by everyone,” he said, “but I think they will be better understood if they are exhibited within the cultural milieu 10 in which they were actually created."
Credit: Copyright the Trustees of the British Museum
Brass 11 plaque 12 showing the Oba of Benin with attendants (16th Century Benin Bronzes from Edo peoples of Benin, Nigeria)
Nigeria is seeking the return of several objects, including the Benin Bronzes, taken out by British forces more than 100 years ago and now scattered 13 among collections in Europe and America.
Egypt, more specifically Hawass, is the driving force behind repatriation efforts, with the country being one of the main victims of cultural theft. The antiquities chief says he hopes the conference is the first of many.
There is no shortage of antiquities still in Egypt, from the pyramids of Giza, to the extensive collection on display at the Egyptian museum in Cairo. But the return of any artifact taken without consent is a matter of national pride.
Hawass, an outsized character who encourages comparison to movie archaeologist Indiana Jones, says it’s the most rewarding part of the job.
"People can think that the best moment in the life of an archaeologist is actually to discover something,” he said at the handover of the Imhesy sarcophagus, “but for me, the best thing is to return something to Egypt."
The Egyptologist has gone to unusual lengths to make that happen - from threatening to cut off access to archeological sites, to telling those he deems an unrightful owner that the object holds an ancient curse.
- The Volrep programme is the preferred means of repatriation. 政府认为自愿遣返计划的遣返方法较为可取。 来自互联网
- Arrange the cargo claiming and maritime affairs,crews repatriation,medical treatment,traveling so on. (六)洽办货物理赔,船舶海事处理,办理船员遣返,就医,旅游等。 来自互联网
- Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave the hotel. 他正要离开旅馆,记者们把他拦截住了。
- Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave by the rear entrance. 他想从后门溜走,记者把他截住了。
- Kato was fully aware of the provenance of these treasures.加藤完全清楚这些珍宝的来源。
- This plant's provenance is Asiadj.这种植物原产于亚洲。
- It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
- He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。
- There is rest and healing in the contemplation of antiquities. 欣赏古物有休息和疗养之功。 来自辞典例句
- Bertha developed a fine enthusiasm for the antiquities of London. 伯沙对伦敦的古迹产生了很大的热情。 来自辞典例句
- In the past 15 years, China has sent 280 women delegations abroad. 十五年来,中国共派280批妇女代表团出访。 来自汉英非文学 - 白皮书
- The Sun Ray decision follows the federal pattern of tolerating broad delegations but insisting on safeguards. “阳光”案的判决仿效联邦容许广泛授权的做法,但又坚持保护措施。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
- He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
- I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。
- He was anxious to mend the rift between the two men.他急于弥合这两个人之间的裂痕。
- The sun appeared through a rift in the clouds.太阳从云层间隙中冒出来。
- The citadel was solid.城堡是坚固的。
- This citadel is built on high ground for protecting the city.这座城堡建于高处是为保护城市。
- Foods usually provide a good milieu for the persistence of viruses.食品通常为病毒存续提供了一个良好的栖身所。
- He was born in a social milieu where further education was a luxury.他生在一个受较高教育就被认为是奢侈的社会环境里。
- Many of the workers play in the factory's brass band.许多工人都在工厂铜管乐队中演奏。
- Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc.黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。
- There is a commemorative plaque to the artist in the village hall.村公所里有一块纪念该艺术家的牌匾。
- Some Latin words were engraved on the plaque. 牌匾上刻着些拉丁文。