©Metropolitan Museum of Art
Vocabulary:
- heritage /HER-i-tij/
- reclaim /ri-KLEYM/
- pursuit /per-SOOT/
- scattered /SKAT-erd/
- legacy /LEG-uh-see/
[noun] – features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages, or buildings, that were created in the past and still have historical importance
Learning about our country’s heritage is important to understand and appreciate the traditions and customs of our ancestors.
[verb] – to take back something that was yours
After being away for years, the artist decided to reclaim her old studio to continue her work on a new project.
[noun] – the act of trying to achieve a plan, activity, or situation, usually over a long period of time
As a child, Maria always dreamed of becoming a doctor, and now she is in pursuit of her dream by studying hard in medical school.
[adjective] – covering a wide area
The scattered papers on the desk indicated that the students had been working on multiple assignments at once and needed to organize their workspace.
[noun] – something that is a part of your history or that remains from an earlier time:
The scientist’s legacy continues to impact the field of medicine today, as his groundbreaking research led to the development of life-saving treatments.
Article reading:
India’s cultural heritage sleuths face a daunting task in recovering thousands of priceless artifacts scattered around the world. Despite powerful opposition from those who profit from illegal artifact trading, these sleuths have made significant strides in recent years, successfully reclaiming stolen items such as a Lord Ganesh bronze sculpture and a Shiva statue from the 12th century. These victories are not only a triumph for India’s cultural heritage but also serve as a warning to those who engage in illicit trade. Aside from artifact recovery, India’s sleuths play a crucial role in creating awareness and advocating for the protection of cultural heritage. Through community engagement, education, and lobbying for stronger laws, they work towards changing the cultural heritage narrative, emphasizing its value and significance as a living legacy that informs our present and shapes our future. Their work is a constant reminder that preserving cultural heritage goes beyond preserving artifacts; it’s a matter of safeguarding a rich history and cultural identity.
The work of India’s sleuths is not only important for preserving the country’s cultural heritage, but it also highlights the need for greater international cooperation in the fight against art theft. By working together, we can ensure that cultural artifacts are protected and preserved for generations to come.
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever visited any cultural heritage sites? If so, which one(s) did you go to, and what did you learn about India’s rich cultural history?
- How do you feel about the fact that many of India’s treasures have been lost or stolen over time? Do you think it’s important to recover these artifacts?
- Do you agree that it’s important to recover stolen artifacts that rightfully belong to India?
- In your opinion, what role do you think community engagement, education, and lobbying for stronger laws play in preserving cultural heritage, and how do they help to change the cultural heritage narrative?
- Do you think that preserving cultural heritage is important beyond just preserving artifacts? How do you think it helps safeguard a rich history and cultural identity?
Summarization
Describe:
- treasure
- determine
- daunting
- value
- cooperation