Destruction, Conservation + Ethical Issues - P + H

Question 1

What is meant by the second death of P + H?

Answer 1

• excavated site sees exposure of materials + evidence
• evidence of long term neglect at P: failure to take precautions to preserve + conserve the remains, use of softwood instead of hardwood to replace lintels, the rusting of iron that reinforced concrete supporting structures
• vandalism, natural catastrophes, effects of weather + pollution, weeds + parasites
• visitors confined to increasingly smaller areas cause the most damage
• however resource management plans + Int. efforts such as the Pompeii Trust - aiding conservation
  ethical issues: role, standards + integrity of the archaeologists + conservators, the degree + type of intervention at the sites, interest of specific groups + greatest public good

Question 2

what is preservation, restoration + conservation?

Answer 2

• responsibility in methods + techniques
• though nothing can be restored to pristine state, can be protected
• use of replicas + digital imaging (for virtual restoration + reconstruction) both satisfy the principles of minimal intervention in the original object

Question 3

What are the ethical issues of displaying/studying human remains?

Answer 3

• insensitivity + neglect of early excavators engaging in deliberate positions, removal, disarticulation, separation + smashing of bones
• some believe it is unethical to display vs. osteo-archae. believe the public should have access to history
• sacred, spiritual + metaphysical beliefs of those cultures which they come in contact - indigenous peoples
• excavation + custodianship - direct descendnts v museum
• considerations for display: e.g. religious + cultural sensitivities + interests of young children
• code of ethics

Question 4

what are issues associated with the ethics, ownership + the int. traffic in antiquities?

Answer 4

• looting of ancient objects + the lucrative antiquities (black) market, enhanced by crime syndicates + the internet
• manufacture of forgeries are destroying archaeological heritage + distorting archaeological evidence
• difficulty of enforcing law in int. black market
• after some int. disputes + decisions of the italian govt., most int. laws claim the ultimate ownership by the state of all antiquities found within its borders