Never Ask A Woman
Her Age
A Man,
His Salary
Or Britan
How They Got So Many Artifacts In Their Museum
Explanation:
This is a meme structured as a joke:
- It starts with the old saying “Never ask a woman her age” (a social taboo).
- Then adds “Never ask a man his salary” (another socially sensitive question).
- Finally, it twists the format with “Or Britain how they got so many artifacts in their museum” (a satirical comment on how many items in British museums, such as the British Museum, were taken from former colonies or acquired under questionable circumstances during the British Empire).
So, the humour comes from putting Britain in the same category of “things you don’t ask about,” highlighting the controversial history of colonial looting.
By the way, there’s a small typo in the image: it says “Britan” instead of “Britain.”
Here are some of the most well-known and controversial artifacts in the British Museum (and other UK museums) that people often bring up in this debate:
From Greece
- Parthenon Marbles (Elgin Marbles)
Sculptures taken from the Parthenon in Athens in the early 1800s by Lord Elgin. Greece has long demanded their return, arguing they were removed illegally during Ottoman occupation.
From Egypt
- Rosetta Stone
Key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. Taken by the British after defeating Napoleon in Egypt in 1801. Egypt has requested it back many times. - Egyptian Mummies & Statues
Many were removed during colonial expeditions, often without proper permission.
From Nigeria
- Benin Bronzes
Thousands of intricate bronzes looted during the British raid of Benin City in 1897. Nigeria has repeatedly asked for their return.
From Ethiopia
- Maqdala Treasures
Sacred manuscripts, crowns, and artifacts looted during the British invasion of Maqdala in 1868. Ethiopia has requested them back for over a century.
From India
- Amravati Marbles (Buddhist sculptures)
Taken in the 19th century from a great stupa site in southern India. - Tipu Sultan’s belongings
Including his mechanical tiger (Tipu’s Tiger) and weapons, captured after his defeat in 1799.
From Indigenous Peoples
- Artifacts from Oceania & the Americas
Many sacred objects and ceremonial items were collected under colonial rule, often without consent of the communities.
The Debate:
Countries like Greece, Nigeria, and Egypt argue these treasures are part of their cultural heritage and should be repatriated.
The British Museum generally claims they’re preserved and accessible to the world in London, but this remains a heated topic in international cultural politics.
You can see a full map and list of in this article: Origin Of Items in The British Museum’s Collection
Books on the topic:
- Treasures of the British Museum
- Collecting the World: Hans Sloane and the Origins of the British Museum
- The Brutish Museums: The Benin Bronzes, Colonial Violence and Cultural Restitution
Also see:
Do you think Britain should give them back?
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