Die Schatzjäger des Kaisers

The Pergamon Altar, the Market Gate of Miletus, the Lions of Babylon, the Bust of Nefertiti - these are all treasures that we admire today in German museums. Where do these works come from? When and under what circumstances did they arrive in Germany? Are we actually the rightful owners of these world-famous cultural assets? Jürgen Gottschlich and Dilek Zaptcioglu-Gottschlich conduct a thorough examination of the history of archaeological excavations and their transport to the German Empire. The focus is on the expeditions of famous excavators such as Carl Humann, Theodor Wiegand, and Robert Koldewey on one hand, and the predominantly nationalistic motives behind their plundering in the service of the Emperor on the other. While the debate on looted art has primarily revolved around artworks from African and Asian colonies, this is the first book presented on archaeological finds from the former Ottoman Empire. Equally important as the demand for restitution is the question: How can we make the world heritage accessible to as many people as possible?.