In the article Vanishing Voices, the author explores the significance of languages to cultures. This correlation is best exemplified in uncovering the history of Ancient Egypt through translating the scripts of the Rosetta Stone. The tablet that taught the world so much about the “Land of the Pharaohs” now is safely secured in England. Despite of a growing national movement to return antiquities to the culture of origin, England must ask themselves before granting repatriation of the Stone, “What are the negative implications of returning the Rosetta Stone to Egypt?”
Historical Background and Introduction The Rosetta Stone was discovered in 1799 during the French occupation of Egypt under Napoleon Bonaparte. The Stone was discovered …show more content…
Dr. Zahi Hawass said in an interview, “The Rosetta Stone is unique to Egypt and Egypt has the right to have it, and it is the ethical duty of England to return the stone.” (2016). However, an ethical code is not a legally binding document, as is the Treaty of Capitulation. Since the tablet was acquired legally, there should be no moral duress for the stone to be returned. If ethics would be the sole determinant of ownership, both sides would have a valid argument for ownership. However, when dealing with a priceless thousands of years old relic, many factors need to be under …show more content…
An analysis done by chief economist William Butterfield in 2012, “Egypt currently ranks in the bottom half (75th out of 139) of all countries” (in tourism) which is “overwhelmingly due to the political instability following the revolution.” The political instability is leading less people to visit Egypt, because they do not feel safe and it there is not a high level of security. If people do not feel safe visiting Cairo, not only would the stone be visited by less people but the Stone would be subject to looting or possibly destruction . The Stone is in a safe location in the British Museum, where millions of people can see the tablet and should remain in the secure setting it is
Historical Background and Introduction The Rosetta Stone was discovered in 1799 during the French occupation of Egypt under Napoleon Bonaparte. The Stone was discovered …show more content…
Dr. Zahi Hawass said in an interview, “The Rosetta Stone is unique to Egypt and Egypt has the right to have it, and it is the ethical duty of England to return the stone.” (2016). However, an ethical code is not a legally binding document, as is the Treaty of Capitulation. Since the tablet was acquired legally, there should be no moral duress for the stone to be returned. If ethics would be the sole determinant of ownership, both sides would have a valid argument for ownership. However, when dealing with a priceless thousands of years old relic, many factors need to be under …show more content…
An analysis done by chief economist William Butterfield in 2012, “Egypt currently ranks in the bottom half (75th out of 139) of all countries” (in tourism) which is “overwhelmingly due to the political instability following the revolution.” The political instability is leading less people to visit Egypt, because they do not feel safe and it there is not a high level of security. If people do not feel safe visiting Cairo, not only would the stone be visited by less people but the Stone would be subject to looting or possibly destruction . The Stone is in a safe location in the British Museum, where millions of people can see the tablet and should remain in the secure setting it is