Ethical Issues- history and archaeology Flashcards
What is heritage?
things passed down through generations that give sense of identity and belonging.
value ppl or culture places on the past
4 groups of owners of heritage:
- Family heritage
- Community Heritage
- National
- international
Dispute arise when beyond family heritage
Ownership?
can be legal or moral
in past, it was personal property for treasure hunters and archaeologists who fund artefacts, but now laws prevents artefacts from leaving country/origin
can be acquired legally but sometimes make way to black market
Why is issue of cultural ownership imp. today?
many countries lost valuable antiquities and have appealed for return, most unsuccessful eg. Parthenon Marbles.
cultural property?
ownership of arch. monuments, sites and artfacts
Parthenon marble:
Marbles shipped to Britain but Greek Gov want it back now at the beginning of the 19th century
Arguments for return of Parthenon marbles?
- integral part of Parthenon and found in Greece
- needed to restore continuity and integrity of monuments
Arguments by British Museum:
- if not moved, would have been damaged (rain=erode)
- acquired worldwide significance, not just Greek. Now part of European heritage
- been in London longer than modern state of Greece has been existance
- viewed by millions of people each year = more knowledge spread
- best place to be in is the British Museum
Role of Museums:
Those who administer past are keepers/custodians, responsible for upkeep and preservation
Administrators present the past and interpret for general public
Museums are the main repositories of the the past
ROle of Administrators:
- select items from collection for display
- arrange way in which displayed
- give context of item, description/narrative
ROle of Administrators/curators (need to be ethical?):
- select items from collection for display
- arrange way in which displayed
- give context of item, description/narrative
Why is the process of presenting past controversial?
different views/perspectives
political and economic dimensions
promote political policy or perspective
sponsorship by big business can influence nature of exhibit.
presentation of gender and ethnic issues also controversial
Example of Musuem controversy:
Aus NAtional Museum: present the past of Aus as being good or bad.
1: Triumphalists believe Aus history full of achievements since European settlement
2: Black armband group argues not good. European treatment of Aborigines
Who preseves the past?
Archaeological sites are living museums. Administrators of archeological sites have to make decisions about management of site, including preservation, conservation and presentation to public.
What is a major issue of maintaing sites?
cost
developing nations lack resources to adequately maintain and preserve site