“The Oxford English Dictionary defines “repatriate” as “to restore (an artifact or other object) to its country of origin.” Many artifacts…have special cultural value for a particular community or nation. When these works are removed from their original cultural setting, they lose their context and the culture loses a part of its history. A request for repatriation of an artifact…usually has a strong legal basis. The antiquity was exported illegally, probably also excavated [dug up] illegally, and most importantly, it is now defined by U. S. courts as stolen property. Even in the United States, where private property rights are greatly respected, the government claims ownership of antiquities from federal lands––and would request their repatriation if they were to be privately excavated and exported.” Identifying Why is repatriation a legal issue according to Bell?