Iran and the British Museum: A History of Diplomacy and Display
(2016) Ancient World Series 2016 — Location: Melbourne (21.March.2016)
Files
Iran_and_the_British_Museum_A_History_of.pdf
Open Access - Adobe PDF
- 6.57 MB
Details
- Authors
Van de Ven, Annelies 
- Abstract
- The British Museum has had a long and complex relation with Western Asia. Emerging within an imperial context, the Museum’s role in perpetuating the colonialist discourse of cultural evolutionism cannot be underestimated. However, since its establishment it has also functioned as an intermediary, ensuring civil cooperation between various institutions, communities and even governments. Through its involvement in archaeo-historical exploration and research it has also broadened our understanding of the region’s history. This paper will centre on one specific entity within this region, the lands of Persia, modern Iran. I will analyse the British Museum’s history of displaying Persian antiquities. This in order to illustrate the British Museum’s interests in the nation as a source of scholarly knowledge, a popular exhibition subject and a diplomatic partner.
- Affiliations
University of Melbourne
Citations
Van de Ven, A. (2016). Iran and the British Museum: A History of Diplomacy and Display. Ancient World Series 2016, Melbourne. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/213678