Elgin Marbles return

sir – In rejecting the possibility of the Parthenon Sculptures returning to Athens, the British Museum’s Dr Jonathan Williams (Letters,

May 21) makes an excellent case for their return.

In underlining the significance of the great civilisations of the world, and their influence on later civilisations, he ignores the potential legacy of our own great Empire. The Marbles are of much greater significance to the Greeks than they are to the British. In Athens they are a symbol of almost totemic significance. The return of the sculptures would be seen by history as a magnanimous gesture, reflecting the modern ethos of British culture instead of the mean rapaciousness of our past history. Make copies, give back the originals – for our future.

Alan Mole

Eckington, Worcestershire

sir – The technology exists to make exact replicas of the Parthenon Sculptures. These could replace the genuine articles with no loss to the British public, 99 per cent of whom would not recognise an Elgin Marble if they found one in their cornflakes. Gordon Brown

Grassington, North Yorkshire