British Museum To Loan Cyrus Cylinder To Iran

Cyrus Cylinder of Human Rights
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The Cyrus cylinder is perhaps the world's oldest charter of human rights, 539-530 B.C. artifact dating back to the reign of Cyrus the Great, is inscribed in Babylonian cuneiform. Iran's Hamid Baqaei - vice president in charge of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization - is asking the British Museum for a loan of the Cylinder.

In an October 12th letter Baquei requested that the British Museum, which currently holds the artifact, return it on loan to Iran. The British Museum said it would send a staffer to Iran so that details could be worked out.

The British Museum promised to loan the Cylinder after its 2005-2006 exhibition, “Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia.” And again the Cylinder would not be made available until after the “Babylon: Myth and Reality” exhibition, which ended March 15. The British Museum also wanted the Cylinder shown temporarily in its new Iranian gallery.

The Museum is also taking into consideration the current political climate amid rumors that recently re-elected President, Ahmadinejad, had the elections rigged and the following unrest. Recent accusations by Iran against the British, of running black-ops are surely a consideration also.

Written by Seamus Esparza

Seamus Esparza's picture

Posted October 23rd, 2009 by Seamus Esparza