Thread by @pyz30

@Telegraph Dear Dr @DominicSelwood, pity you did not get your facts right:
1) The Moai was not a "gift" from islanders to the British. No historical evidence of that;
2) All historians agree about the grim conditions of the islanders: famine & illnesses had decimated the population.

@Telegraph @DominicSelwood 3) The British were not "presented" with the Moai as a gift. They went on an expedition to find exotic objects to carry home. They took 2 Moai, with much physical effort. Their own account is @ National Archives. Also useful: this book, sold at the Museum amazon.com/Hakananaia-Bri…

@Telegraph @DominicSelwood 4) At the time, the natives still venerated the birdman. And it is the birdman cult that was carved on the back of Moai Hoa. Christian missionaries had become powerful, so they hid their ancient practices - literally (Hoa was hidden in a small house). They've never forgotten it.

@Telegraph @DominicSelwood 5) Even we were to assume that Rapa Nui had forgotten its traditions/religion, that would not be relevant - because according to contemporary international law they are entitled to revitalize their culture & customs.
un.org/esa/socdev/unp…

@Telegraph @DominicSelwood 6) International law also imposes a human rights obligation on States to provide redress ("including restitution") and to enable the access and/or repatriation of ceremonial objects. UK museums must abide by these HR commitments when reviewing their loans & de-accession policies.

@Telegraph @DominicSelwood 7) "Gifts" (had that been the case) can only be made freely, not under duress.
All national legal systems establish that a state of necessity can vitiate consent in contracts between individuals; same in Int'l Law (agreements between nations).
No valid transaction can take place.

@Telegraph @DominicSelwood 8) Technical note: The British Museum Act allows de-accession of items that are unfit to be retained. For Rapa Nui, Moai is not an object but family: a living ancestor. Trustees could adapt policy under the act & proceed as the do re: human remains. Intl law compels them to do so

@Telegraph @DominicSelwood 9) This interpretation does not require a change to the BM Act. It is up to Trustees. Same goes re: loans policy, which could be long term. The BM Act is silent re: length. It is practice that has been most conservative. Policy is up for review next year.
britishmuseum.org/pdf/Loans_Poli…

@Telegraph @DominicSelwood 9) It's up to the people of Easter Island to decide if they want their ancestor to remain in London. They want it back, & offer a replica to the Museum as a new ambassador of their culture (same materials & technique).

It's a kind offer :)

If you read this thread - thank you.