British Museum 'airbrushing history' of the Lewis Chessmen

THE British Museum has been accused of "airbrushing history" in a poster campaign featuring chess pieces found in Lewis.

Angus MacNeil, the Western Isles MP, is demanding every poster is either removed or that the word "Norway" is replaced with "Lewis", and he has raised the matter in parliament.

The posters, which have appeared at Underground stations in London, promote the Radio 4 series A History of the World in 100 Objects, exploring the museum's artefacts, including the chessmen. Under the image of the set's queen are the words: "AD1150-1200 Norway".

Many experts believe the pieces to be of Scandinavian origin, but others think they could have been made in Scotland by a craftsman influenced by Viking art.

Mr MacNeil has laid an early day motion before the Commons stating: "This House deplores the historical airbrushing of the Lewis Chessmen by the British Museum in a poster campaign."

He said: "It is a total cheek and a fabrication of history. I am writing to the museum. There is no mention of Lewis, the Outer Hebrides or even Scotland on these posters – even though they are the Lewis Chessmen."

A spokeswoman for the British Museum said: "It is generally accepted the chessmen were made in Norway. During this period the Western Isles were part of the kingdom of Norway, not Scotland."

Last year, Mr MacNeil called for all the Lewis Chessmen to be permanently repatriated from London.