April 1, 2009
Early Day Motion on the Stone Henge fragments in Greece
The recent discovery of what are thought to be some of the missing megaliths from Stone Henge has been covered extensively in the Greek media during the last week. The stones were found at a site (the location of which is being kept secret whilst a full archaeological study is being carried out) in the Peloponnese. It is thought that they were taken from Britain during Roman times, whilst Greece was also part of the Roman Empire.
What has caused particular controversy in the UK, is the Greeks current refusal to consider returning these stones which are believed to have been an integral part of Britain’s most important historic monument.
Andrew George MP has today tabled an Early Day Motion to gauge the opinions of other MPs on the issue. Previous posts on EDMs explain the purpose of Early Day Motions in the House of Commons.
From:
Parliamentary Information Management Web Site
The Return of the Stonehenge Megaliths from Greece
That this House is euphoric about the news of the discovery of many of the missing megaliths from Stonehenge in a remote and mountainous area of the Peloponnese Peninsula in Greece to where they were taken to build an amphitheatre; considers this to be the single most important discovery in British archaeology for more than a century; yet is astounded at the brazen effrontery of the Greek authorities who have scandalously refused their return to Britain where they rightly belong; believes the Greeks have attempted to defend their decision with the kind of shameless and preposterous poppycock of an ancient colonial power; calls on the Greeks to put right the wrongs of their forefathers during that shameful period of ancient Greek imperial history; and asks HM Government on the day of the announcement of this find, April 1st 2009, to answer the extraordinary Greek claim that there is no difference between this and the holding by the British Museum of the Parthenon Marbles.
This follow-up article has more details.
- The Early Day Motion that wasn’t : April 1, 2009
- Early Day Motion on UNESCO Mediation for Parthenon Sculptures : April 11, 2014
- New Acropolis Museum Early Day Motion : March 1, 2009
- EDM from Andrew George : March 15, 2007
- New Acropolis Museum leads rise in Greek Museum visitor numbers for 2009 : June 8, 2010
- Early Day Motion on the Parthenon Marbles : July 25, 2005
- House of Commons Early Day Motion to highlight recent developments relating to Parthenon Marbles return : November 8, 2012
- The Stone Henge megaliths have been stolen… Manga takes on the British Museum : October 21, 2010
Konstandinos said,
04.02.09 at 9:58 am
When the UK decides to return the countless Greek artifacts they STOLE in RECENT TIMES, then they deserve the right to ask for their Megaliths back.
Until then, suck it up, UK.
Matthew said,
04.02.09 at 7:52 pm
You did realise that the article was a joke? See here for more details: http://www.elginism.com/20090401/1868/
There are no megaliths from Stone Henge in Greece