Cartouches, Catalogs, & Courtrooms: Using a Recent Legal Challenge in Egyptian Court to Examine Unanswered Questions in Cultural Heritage

Authors

Lawrence Keating

Abstract

Ancient Egypt is known to the world for its rich culture steeped in arcane mysticism and for the dazzling treasures it left behind, which now populate the world’s most prominent cultural institutions. These and other cultural heritage objects, which capture and inspire masses as easily today as they did in their own time, are subject to growing controversy over their protection and utilization. As this debate moves from academic circles to the arena of public discourse, the need to revise legislation controlling cultural heritage objects is becoming increasingly clear. This Note uses a recent law- suit concerning an international exhibition of artifacts from the tomb of King Tutankhamun as a case study to explore this discussion and draw conclusions about how to best serve the aims of cultural heritage law. This Note then recommends adopting the Egyptian government’s approach in amending its patrimony law to provide specialists with increased discretion to manage the wealth of cultural heritage objects under its control.

Recommended Citation

Lawrence Keating, Cartouches, Catalogs, & Courtrooms: Using a Recent Legal Challenge in Egyptian Court to Examine Unanswered Questions in Cultural Heritage, 32 Fordham Intell. Prop. Media & Ent. L.J. 225 (2021).
Available at: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/iplj/vol32/iss1/4