The chairman of the British Museum believes a deal is possible to share the Parthenon Marbles with Greece, which has long sought their return. &nbsp;

The 2,500-year-old friezes taken from Athens in the 19th century are at the centre of a long-running row with London, which insists they are protected at the British Museum where the world can see them.

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But museum chairman George Osborne, Britain's former finance minister&nbsp;said in an interview Tuesday night that he believed there is a "deal to be done" to share the priceless artworks.

"In the British Museum they tell a story about civilisation compared to all the other civilisations, China, India, other parts of the Mediterranean," he told LBC radio.

"In Greece they only tell the story of Greek civilisation."

"I think there is a deal to be done where we can tell both stories, in Athens and in London, if we both approach this without a load of preconditions, without a load of red lines."

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"I think sensible people can arrange something that makes the most of the Parthenon Marbles, but if either side says there's no give at all, then there won't be a deal."

The Parthenon temple was built in the 5th century BCE on the Acropolis to honour Athena, the patron goddess of Athens.

In the early 1800s, workmen took friezes from the monument on the orders of the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Scottish nobleman Thomas Bruce, known as Lord Elgin.

Elgin sold the marbles to the British government, which in 1817 passed them on to the British Museum where they remain one of its most prized exhibits.

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Athens insists the sculptures were stolen.

In an interview last year, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson ruled out the return of the marbles, insisting they were legally acquired by Britain and legally owned by the British Museum's trustees since their acquisition.

Osborne noted that "I don't want to speak for all the trustees of the British Museum, we'd have to properly look at everything."

"Sensible people should come up with something so you can see them in their splendour in Athens, and you can see them alongside the splendours of other civilisations in London," he said.

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The chairman of the British Museum believes a deal is possible to share the Parthenon Marbles with Greece, which has long sought their return. The 2,500-year-old friezes taken from Athens in the 19th century are at the centre of a long-running row with London, which insists they are protected at the British Museum where the world can see them.

The chairman of the British Museum believes a deal is possible to share the Parthenon Marbles with Greece, which has long sought their return. The 2,500-year-old friezes taken from Athens in the 19th century are at the centre of a long-running row with London, which insists they are protected at the British Museum where the world can see them. Also read | Britain is poised to sink into recession with biggest financial squeeze since the 1950s, industry body warns But museum chairman George Osborne, Britain's former finance minister said in an interview Tuesday night that he believed there is a "deal to be done" to share the priceless artworks. "In the British Museum they tell a story about civilisation compared to all the other civilisations, China, India, other parts of the Mediterranean," he told LBC radio. "In Greece they only tell the story of Greek civilisation." "I think there is a deal to be done where we can tell both stories, in Athens and in London, if we both approach this without a load of preconditions, without a load of red lines." Watch | Greece: Firefighters control wildfire "I think sensible people can arrange something that makes the most of the Parthenon Marbles, but if either side says there's no give at all, then there won't be a deal." The Parthenon temple was built in the 5th century BCE on the Acropolis to honour Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. In the early 1800s, workmen took friezes from the monument on the orders of the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Scottish nobleman Thomas Bruce, known as Lord Elgin. Elgin sold the marbles to the British government, which in 1817 passed them on to the British Museum where they remain one of its most prized exhibits. Also read | Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan halts talks with Greece as tensions flare again Athens insists the sculptures were stolen. In an interview last year, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson ruled out the return of the marbles, insisting they were legally acquired by Britain and legally owned by the British Museum's trustees since their acquisition. Osborne noted that "I don't want to speak for all the trustees of the British Museum, we'd have to properly look at everything." "Sensible people should come up with something so you can see them in their splendour in Athens, and you can see them alongside the splendours of other civilisations in London," he said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

British Museum head says 'deal to be done' on Elgin Marbles

UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently a told Greek newspaper that Britain is the legitimate custodian of Parthenon marbles.

The 2,500-year-old sculptures have been at the forefront of Greece’s demands. Greece gained independence in 1832, and has been asking for the return of marbles, known as the Elgin Marbles in UK.

The marbles are named after Lord Elgin, a diplomat who removed the marbles for the Parthenon temple in Athens in the earlier part of 19th century. Back then, Greece was under Ottoman rule.

The sculptures are roughly half of a 160-metre frieze which was part of the monument, and are currently kept at the British Museum in London. Boris Johnson told Ta New newspaper that the marbles were acquired by Elgin as part of a legal contract with the Ottoman Empire, and that the marbles constitute part of everybody’s “shared heritage”.

Johnson, a former student of the Classics has on multiple occasions quoted Latin and Greek.&nbsp; While saying that Britain remains the legitimate holder of marbles, Johnson said he understood how Greeks felt about the stones, but claimed that Britain had a “firm and long-standing” position about the marbles.

"They were acquired legally by&nbsp;Lord&nbsp;Elgin, in line with the laws that were in force at that time," Johnson said.

Since taking power in 2019, a conservative government in Greece has increased the pressure to fetch back the marbles. The campaign has put on a more fierce outlook after exiting the European Union.

Lina Mendoni, the Culture Minister of Greece referred to Elgin as a “serial thief” last year, and alleged that the marbles were acquired through illegal means.

UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently a told Greek newspaper that Britain is the legitimate custodian of Parthenon marbles. The 2,500-year-old sculptures have been at the forefront of Greece’s demands.

UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently a told Greek newspaper that Britain is the legitimate custodian of Parthenon marbles. The 2,500-year-old sculptures have been at the forefront of Greece’s demands. Greece gained independence in 1832, and has been asking for the return of marbles, known as the Elgin Marbles in UK. The marbles are named after Lord Elgin, a diplomat who removed the marbles for the Parthenon temple in Athens in the earlier part of 19th century. Back then, Greece was under Ottoman rule. The sculptures are roughly half of a 160-metre frieze which was part of the monument, and are currently kept at the British Museum in London. Boris Johnson told Ta New newspaper that the marbles were acquired by Elgin as part of a legal contract with the Ottoman Empire, and that the marbles constitute part of everybody’s “shared heritage”. Johnson, a former student of the Classics has on multiple occasions quoted Latin and Greek. While saying that Britain remains the legitimate holder of marbles, Johnson said he understood how Greeks felt about the stones, but claimed that Britain had a “firm and long-standing” position about the marbles. "They were acquired legally by Lord Elgin, in line with the laws that were in force at that time," Johnson said. Since taking power in 2019, a conservative government in Greece has increased the pressure to fetch back the marbles. The campaign has put on a more fierce outlook after exiting the European Union. Lina Mendoni, the Culture Minister of Greece referred to Elgin as a “serial thief” last year, and alleged that the marbles were acquired through illegal means.

Greek sculptures taken by Lord Elgin to remain in UK, says PM Johnson

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British Museum head says 'deal to be done' on Elgin Marbles

Greek sculptures taken by Lord Elgin to remain in UK, says PM Johnson