American Anthropologist Mary Slusser Accused of Illegally Collecting and Exporting Nepali Artifacts
Summary
American anthropologist Mary Slusser is accused of illegally collecting and exporting about 500 Nepali artifacts during her years of research in Nepal. Research cited by Himal South Asian says some of the items later ended up in American museums, raising questions about their origin and legality.
Key Points
- Research published by Himal South Asian says Mary Slusser collected around 500 ancient and archaeological artifacts in Nepal and took them to the United States.
- Some of the items were reportedly sold or transferred to American museums, including the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art.
- One early incident described in Slusser's diary involved the purchase of a bronze Shiva-Parvati statue near Gorkarneshwor Mahadev Temple.
- The case has renewed scrutiny of which Nepali heritage items left the country legally and which may have been stolen or exported illegally.
