[R. Scott]

… England's only claim to ownership is through thievery…

The French stole it from the Egyptians fair and square. The English stole it from the French fair and square.
The precedence for the acquisition of antiquities has been set, the Egyptians know how it has to be done if they want it back.

[Cronos]

I think we're getting into senseless arguments.

let's lay out the facts:

At the time when the brits found the egyptian treasures and the Elgin marbles they were not appreciated or cared for in their native countries and most likely would have been lost



The british deserve credit for their discoveries and maintaining these treasures for the world. No one denies this, not the Egyptians, not the Greeks.

Since the home countries are now able to look after their treasures they should get the stuff returned to them as soon as possible with due thanks to the British. Or they can have some sort of arrangement wherein the artifacts are displayed for some time in either place.

[zeugma]

The precedence for the acquisition of antiquities has been set, the Egyptians know how it has to be done if they want it back.

Exactly! I'd simply tell them: "Come and take it!" (Note the Goliad reference there.)