Elgin Marbles could soon be returned to Greece under 'long-term loan' deal trends now
The Elgin Marbles may soon return to Greece under a 'cultural exchange' deal drawn up by the chairman of the British Museum, ex-Chancellor George Osborne.
The prized artefacts, also known as the Parthenon sculptures, were made between 447BC and 432BC and decorated the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens.
British diplomat Lord Elgin removed about half of the remaining sculptures from the ruins of the Parthenon between 1801 and 1805 when Greece was under Ottoman Turkish occupation and brought them to England.
The sculptures have since been the subject of a 200-year-old dispute over ownership between Athens and London - Greece argues the sculptures were taken illegally and should be returned for permanent display.
Current laws prevent the removal of historical artefacts from the British Museum, but Osborne is said to have negotiated a long-term loan deal which would see some of the Marbles returned to Athens in return for other 'cultural artefacts'.
The Elgin Marbles, also known as the Parthenon sculptures, were made between 447BC and 432BC and decorated the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. But some of them were removed and taken to England by British Diplomat Lord Elgin in the early 1800s
Lord Elgin removed about half of the remaining sculptures from the ruins of the Parthenon between 1801 and 1805, before they entered the British Museum
Sources told the Daily Telegraph that the loan agreement could be solidified 'sooner rather than later', but the prized sculptures would still ultimately remain under the ownership of the British museum - something which Greece's government is likely to fight tooth and nail to change.
According to Greek daily newspaper Ta Nea, Mr Osborne and Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis met at a five-star hotel in Knightsbridge, west London, in early December to discuss the sculptures.
They are also said to have first held 'exploratory talks' in November last year at the Greek ambassador's Mayfair residence.
The British Museum has not denied Mr Osborne had held talks with the Greek premier.
A spokesperson said: 'The British Museum has publicly called for a new Parthenon partnership with Greece and we'll talk to anyone, including the Greek government, about how to take that forward.
'As the chair of trustees said last month, we operate within the law
