©Metropolitan Museum of Art
Pre-reading questions:
- Why do you think people go to such great lengths to find lost treasures?
- Why is it important to preserve historical artifacts and treasures for future generations?
Vocabulary:
- stretch /strech/
- loss /laws/
- priceless /PRAHYS-lis/
- victory /VIK-tuh-ree/
- identity /ahy-DEN-ti-tee/
[verb] – to cause something to reach, often as far as possible, in a particular direction
After sitting for a long time at their desks, the students decided to stand up and stretch their arms and legs to help them feel more awake and focused.
[noun] – a situation in which you no longer have something or have less of something, or the process that causes this
After the flood, many families experienced a great loss of their belongings and homes and had to start over with the help of the community.
[adjective] – A priceless object has such a high value, especially because it is rare, that the price of it cannot be calculated
My grandmother’s old photo album is priceless to me because it contains pictures of my ancestors, whom I never had the chance to meet.
[noun] – an occasion when you win a game, competition, election, war, etc. or the fact that you have won
The soccer team celebrated their victory over their rivals by jumping up and down, shouting with joy, and hugging each other on the field.
[noun] – the fact of being, or feeling that you are, a particular type of person, organization, etc.; the qualities that make a person, organization, etc. different from others:
As a teenager, I struggled to understand my identity and where I fit in the world, but over time, I discovered my passions and interests, which helped me become more confident and self-assured.
Article reading:
These sleuths face a daunting task with thousands of priceless artifacts scattered across the world. Despite opposition from those who profit from illegal artifact trading, they 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. Their victories 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. 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.
India’s cultural heritage sleuths safeguard the past and inspire global teamwork against art theft. Let’s unite to protect our rich history for the future.
Comprehension questions
- What is the cultural heritage of India?
- Why do many people in India feel a sense of loss?
- Who are India’s cultural heritage sleuths, and what is their mission?
- What challenges do the cultural heritage sleuths face in their mission to reclaim stolen artifacts?
- Give two examples of artifacts that India’s cultural heritage sleuths have successfully recovered.
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?