Additional Information

Available Through

JSTOR

Language

English

Notes

Abstract: Recent developments regarding the repatriation of human skeletal remains have raised questions of profound significance for both archeologists and anthropologists. The various responses to these questions have tended to focus on the implications of these developments for the future of the academic disciplines and skirted the ethical issues at stake. In addition, little attention has been devoted to the relationship between approaches to human skeletal remains and to dead human bodies. As a result, discussions of skeletal remains tend to occur in isolation and fail to benefit from a consideration of values considered relevant in related areas. From our perspective as anatomists, we will apply a broader analysis to the issue of archeological human remains; in determining relevant values, we will draw on the experience of other disciplines involved in research on human tissue and human material.

Additional tags: human skeletal remains; repatriation; ethical considerations

Taxonomies

RPA Codes & Standards

• Archaeologist's Responsibility to Colleagues, Employees, and Students
• Archaeologist's Responsibility to the Public
• Integrity of Research Methodology

CIfA Codes

• Principle 1: Adherence to ethical and responsible behaviour in archaeological affairs
• Principle 2: Responsibility for the conservation of the historic environment
• Principle 3: Responsibility for acquiring and recording reliable information of the past in archaeological research

Keywords & Terms

• Burials and Human Remains
• Integrity of Research Methodology and Field Procedures
• Professional Standards
• Repatriation
• Respect for and Responsibility to Affected Groups
• Standards of Data Collection, Recordation, Analysis

Topics & Issues

• Biological Anthropology/Archaeology
• Ethical Responsibilities of Archaeologists
• Human Remains and Ethical Practice
• NAGPRA, Repatriation, and Indigenous Rights
• Professionalism and Professional Standards