THE Capital will play host to one of Britain's leading authorities in classical archaeology later this week for a debate about the future of the Elgin Marbles.

Anthony Snodgrass, professor emeritus in classical archaeology at the University of Cambridge, will speak on the hotly contested issue at the Edinburgh College of Art on Thursday.

The Elgin Marbles take their nickname from Thomas Bruce, the seventh Earl of Elgin, who stripped the ancient Athenian Parthenon of its sculptures while he served as the British Ambassador to Constantinople in the early 1800s.

As a result of his actions, almost half the Parthenon's ancient treasures were plundered and shipped back to Britain.

They were sold to the British Museum in London, where they have been on display to the public since 1816.

The sculptures have been scattered between the two countries, with single figures split between museums in London and Athens

In his lecture, The Parthenon Divided, Prof Snodgrass will address the audience in his capacity as chairman of the British committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, arguing for the marbles to be returned to Athens.

The Edinburgh College of Art is home to a complete set of casts of the Parthenon Frieze.