There is no shortage of foreign artifacts in British lands, from the British Museum in London to many other castles and estates housing artworks and treasures; and in this case Roman columns from the ancient city of Leptis Magna. Via WikipediaBritian alleges that the Prince Regent of Tripolitania (an Ottoman District precursor to modern Libya) gave the columns in question as a gift in 1817 to the British Consul General of Tripoli Hanmer Warrington; while the Libyan government claims they were in fact looted. The columns were used in a royal estate Virginia Water in Windsor Great Park, where they were incorporated into a contemporary “Temple of Augustus” designed by Royal Architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville in 1828. Via British Listed BuildingsIn an interview with Mohamed Shaban, a lawyer representing Libyan interests, he highlighted the lack of concrete action to return the pillars to their original home. WE SAID THIS: Don’t Miss…Four Ancient Egyptian Artifacts Return Home Post-Smuggle To Italy
