The Legality of the Removal of the Parthenon Marbles. Truth or Fiction? Archival Research Reveals the Facts About the Removal of the Parthenon Marbles by Lord Elgin

The article argues that the removal of the Parthenon Marbles by Lord Elgin in the early nineteenth century was illegal, as Elgin never obtained official Ottoman authorization, contrary to British claims. The analysis reveals that Elgin fabricated legal justifications, including the misuse of an unofficial letter from the Kaymakam, to legitimize his actions. The British government's acquisition of the marbles is thus questioned on legal and ethical grounds.