Additional Information

Available Through

JSTOR

Language

English

Notes

Abstract: The ethical dimensions of archaeological collaboration with treasure hunters are explored through a study of the Whydah salvage project. The Whydah, a pirate ship that sank off Cape Cod in 1717, has been the object of commercial salvage since 1982, which has resulted in intense ethical and legal controversy among treasure hunters, archaeologists, and public officials. The article describes the history of archaeological involvement in the salvage project and discusses the issue of collaboration from the perspective of the archaeologists who work for the treasure hunters and those in public agencies who regulate them. The ethical problems of archaeological collaboration are discussed in light of ethical standards of modern archaeology. The effects of archaeological collaboration in the Whydah project are assessed and the growing acceptance of commercial salvors in the management of underwater cultural resources is demonstrated with reference to recent projects in Boston Harbor.

Additional tags: salvage archaeology; underwater archaeology; treasure hunters; collaboration

Taxonomies

RPA Codes & Standards

• Adequate Preparation for Research Projects
• Archaeologist's Responsibility to Colleagues, Employees, and Students
• Archaeologist's Responsibility to the Public
• Integrity of Research Methodology
• Procedures for Field Survey or Excavation

CIfA Codes

• Principle 1: Adherence to ethical and responsible behaviour in archaeological affairs
• Principle 2: Responsibility for the conservation of the historic environment
• Principle 5: Recognition of aspirations of employees, colleagues and helpers in all matters of employment

Keywords & Terms

• Anti-Commercialization
• Avoid, Discourage, and Report Unethical and Illegal Activity
• Consultation/Partnership with Affected Groups
• Integrity of Research Methodology and Field Procedures
• International Law
• Local, State, Federal, and Tribal Laws
• Looting, Collecting, and Illicit Trade of Cultural Property
• Preservation of Archaeological Resources
• Professional Qualification
• Protection and Non-Disclosure of Archaeological Sites
• Public Interest, Collaboration, Education, and Outreach
• Standards of Data Collection, Recordation, Analysis

Topics & Issues

• Amateur and Advocational Archaeology
• Archaeological Education
• Collaboration in Archaeology (i.e. Communities, Non-Archaeologists, etc.)
• Ethical Case Studies
• Ethics of Collecting
• Historical Archaeology
• Legal Issues
• Public Engagement, Outreach, and Education
• Underwater Archaeology