Malta Wants It's Shark Tooth Back

[icyfroth]

A giant shark tooth presented to Prince George by Sir David Attenborough may be reclaimed by Malta where it was originally found, according to reports.

The veteran broadcaster gave the gift to the young royal last Thursday when he visited Kensington Palace to watch his latest documentary with the Duke of Cambridge.

George was pictured holding the fossilised tooth from an extinct Carcharocles megalodon - one of the most feared predators to have swum in the seas.

But Malta's culture minister Jose Herrera has said he wants to "get the ball rolling" when asked if there were plans to add the artefact to his nation's heritage collection.

Mr Herrera told the Times of Malta newspaper: "There are some artefacts that are important to Maltese natural heritage and which ended up abroad and deserve to be retrieved.

"We rightly give a lot of attention to historical and artistic artefacts. However, it is not always the case with our natural history. I am determined to direct a change in this attitude."

The giant shark tooth given to George was found by Sir David during a family holiday to Malta in the late 1960s.

It was embedded in the island's soft yellow limestone, which was laid down during the Miocene period some 23 million years ago.

Carcharocles megalodon is believed to have grown to 15 metres in length, which is about twice the length of the great white shark.

Kensington Palace declined to comment.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/uknews/malta-set-to-demand-prince-george-hands-back-giant-shark-tooth...

Really? I know the Brits have a habit of appropriating artefacts from other cultures, but an ancient shark tooth found in a location that was not even known to man at the time, and certainly was not known Malta then?

It's not like the Elgin Marbles.

[chameleon54]

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@icyfroth wrote:

A giant shark tooth presented to Prince George by Sir David Attenborough may be reclaimed by Malta where it was originally found, according to reports.

The veteran broadcaster gave the gift to the young royal last Thursday when he visited Kensington Palace to watch his latest documentary with the Duke of Cambridge.

George was pictured holding the fossilised tooth from an extinct Carcharocles megalodon - one of the most feared predators to have swum in the seas.

But Malta's culture minister Jose Herrera has said he wants to "get the ball rolling" when asked if there were plans to add the artefact to his nation's heritage collection.

Mr Herrera told the Times of Malta newspaper: "There are some artefacts that are important to Maltese natural heritage and which ended up abroad and deserve to be retrieved.

"We rightly give a lot of attention to historical and artistic artefacts. However, it is not always the case with our natural history. I am determined to direct a change in this attitude."

The giant shark tooth given to George was found by Sir David during a family holiday to Malta in the late 1960s.

It was embedded in the island's soft yellow limestone, which was laid down during the Miocene period some 23 million years ago.

Carcharocles megalodon is believed to have grown to 15 metres in length, which is about twice the length of the great white shark.

Kensington Palace declined to comment.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/uknews/malta-set-to-demand-prince-george-hands-back-giant-shark-tooth...

Really? I know the Brits have a habit of appropriating artefacts from other cultures, but an ancient shark tooth found in a location that was not even known to man at the time, and certainly was not known Malta then?

It's not like the Elgin Marbles.

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That was exactly what struck me when I read it. Theres some stuff that certainly should be returned to place of origin. Human remains ( unless of extreme scientific importance ) being one, but a sharks tooth ? ..........Cmon.......Get over it.....The world has gone PC mad.

[springyzone]

It seems odd they haven't demanded it back before now if they really wanted it. Maybe this is the first they heard of it.

In some ways, I can sympathise in that I think if things of cultural or historic significance are found in a country, they should stay in that country. Whether a shark's tooth comes into that category, I don't know.

But in the circumstances, if they are getting stroppy about it, I'd just give it back. Take a few photos of George with it then hand it back. Really, what is the family going to do with the tooth anyway? It will probably end up like a lot of the rpesents Royalty receive (or so I have read), stored down in some basement and never looked at again.

Probably better off in a museum or somewhere.

[imastawka]

Maltese culture minister José Herrera said on Monday he would "set the ball rolling" in retrieving the tooth to be displayed in a local museum.

However, he has since back-peddled and dropped his calls for it to be

https://news.sky.com/story/malta-backs-down-on-demand-that-shark-tooth-given-to-prince-george-by-dav...

[bright.ton42]

I always thought that if somethig of historical significance is found in a country then it must be given to the government.

[zanadoo_56]

It got me wondering....how many fossil shark's teeth have been found in Malta?  Just this one or lots of them?

I think these kinds of found things should be declared to the right authority but that doesn't mean it has to be automatically handed over.  Also, how long has Attenborough had it?  Decades....c'mon.  It was before anyone In Malta cared so much about fossilized shark's teeth as a heritage item and there were no rules about finding them?  Hmm.

If Prince George isn't allowed to keep it (or it is decided it's more politically correct to retun it) or it is too valuable and should be in a museum,  I imagine a really good replica could be made for him.  It's a shame though.  I have a fossilized trilobite that is much prized - these things are great presents for kids.

Honestly, that shark could have come from anywhere.....continental drift and and all that.  The rest of it's teeth may be yet to be dug up on Malta.   What do you want to bet if Malta gets it back, much publicity will be made of the fact it was found by or owned by David Attenborough against what species it was. *shrugs*

[domino-710]

Come on Princey - you've seen it - touched it - hand it over - don't put it in the drawer. 

Not hard.

[imastawka]

It seems I missed the last word in my previous post C & P

Maltese culture minister José Herrera said on Monday he would "set the ball rolling" in retrieving the tooth to be displayed in a local museum.

However, he has since back-peddled and dropped his calls for it to be reclaimed.