The Ethics of Archaeology

Oxbow says: 'Good intentions are not enough', archaeologists today need to be better informed and mindful of the ethical issues and dilemmas of their actions. Based on this premise, this collection of inter-disciplinary essays sees archaeologists, anthropologists and philosophers wrestle with the c [...]
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Oxbow says: 'Good intentions are not enough', archaeologists today need to be better informed and mindful of the ethical issues and dilemmas of their actions. Based on this premise, this collection of inter-disciplinary essays sees archaeologists, anthropologists and philosophers wrestle with the complex issues of ethics in archaeology. Rather than compiling a list of 'dos' and 'don'ts', or advocating stringent legislation, the contributors try to put current ethical questions in a broader framework to determine how archaeologists can best serve the needs of the living and the dead. Issues of ownership, artefacts as commodities, guardianship, relationships with indigenous peoples and local communities, reburial, stewardship, treatment of the dead, heritage and how it is defined, professional standards and ethical codes, are all debated. Whilst the essays may lack consensus in many areas, something which should be seen as a positive attribute rather than a negative one, the book highlights important issues and continues the dialogue in this subject. Highly recommended.