Ethics in Archeology

Ethics in Archeology

Scientists , particularly western scientists , consider the remains of human beings as an important tool in scientific studies concerned not only with investigating man 's migration patterns in the past , but also in understanding the early relationships which existed among the different populations in the world and the effect that different environments have on body form . Scientists involved in this field of study , however , emphasize that although they are driven by their commitment to science , it is never their intention to desecrate the burial places of native peoples . Their

views have been contradicted by an archaeologist from London , however . Cressida Fforde , who is connected with the Institute of Archaeology at London 's University College , argued that it is not ethical for archaeologists to handle the remains of human beings for whatever reason . According to Fforde , scientists who study human remains do not only do it for the sake of science but also to establish the superiority of colonizers over the natives whom they consider inferior and therefore would like to establish as such (Appleton , 2002

This was in fact believed to have been the opinion adopted by indigenous leaders during the later half of the twentieth century Representatives of native peoples then started asserting that their emotional and spiritual link to the bones outweighs the interests of science ' and that the time had arrived when the damage already inflicted on them should be recognized and consequently redressed by repatriating the excavated bones to the tribe where such bones rightly belong . This belief gave birth to the repatriation movement in the United States (Appleton , 2002

American Indians define the repatriation movement as an attempt on their part to be recognized as living human beings , who have children and relatives - and ancestors ' According to them , caring for their dead is the only characteristic that effectively distinguishes them from the lower forms of animals . Most people consider Maria Pearson , a member of the Yankton Sioux tribe who was married to an engineer employed by the Department of Transportation of Iowa , to have actually inspired the movement . She was believed to be the first Indian to have registered her protest against what she called a differential treatment ' given to dead Indians . This happened way back in 1971 when a cemetery with Indian and white tombs was discovered by Iowa 's Department of Transportation When she was informed by her husband that the bones belonging to white persons were buried again while those of the dead Indians were turned over to the Office of the State Archaeologist , she immediately d a complaint with the office of then Governor Robert Ray . Her action started a struggle for control over the remains of American Indians found in Iowa which culminated in the enactment of the pioneering Iowa Reburial Law after six years . Her work with newly appointed Iowa Archaeologist Duane Anderson also resulted to the protection of all burials located in the state of Iowa since 1976 (Hirst , n .d

Because of her efforts , repatriation...