Elgin always claimed he had written “permission” to strip the Parthenon — no one can produce a such a document. And even if it existed, is it okay for the Turkish sultan who was in charge after the Ottomans conquered Greece to give away the artistic treasure of the Greeks? I don’t think so.
Even if you accept the argument that Elgin saved them from neglect and decay, Britain should now return the sculptures. And they should be restored to the temple frieze.
They are in better shape now than if they had remained on the Parthenon, given the serious air pollution in Athens.
For those who can't make a trip to London, the Nashville Parthenon has replicas of the Elgin Marbles.