Additional Information

Available Through

JSTOR, EBSCO Host

Language

English

Notes

Abstract: The article discusses the ethical implications involved in conserving ancient artifacts. The author states that a friend brought her a Roman sword purchased in an online auction and wanted her to clean, stabilize, and preserve it. The author recounts her ethical reservations concerning the sword, including the encouragement of looting by preserving stolen objects and working with an artifact with no knowledge of its context or origins.

Additional tags: antiquities trade; historic preservation; ethics of working with stolen objects

Taxonomies

RPA Codes & Standards

• Archaeologist's Responsibility to Colleagues, Employees, and Students
• Archaeologist's Responsibility to Employers and Clients
• Archaeologist's Responsibility to the Public
• Integrity of Research Methodology
• Maintaining Continuity of Records

CIfA Codes

• Principle 1: Adherence to ethical and responsible behaviour in archaeological affairs
• Principle 2: Responsibility for the conservation of the historic environment

Keywords & Terms

• Anti-Commercialization
• Avoid, Discourage, and Report Unethical and Illegal Activity
• Conflicts of Interest
• Conservation
• Employer/Client Relationships
• Local, State, Federal, and Tribal Laws
• Looting, Collecting, and Illicit Trade of Cultural Property
• Museum, Collection, Curation and Display Standards
• Professional Standards
• Standards of Data Collection, Recordation, Analysis

Topics & Issues

• Antiquities Trade
• Conservation and Ethics
• Ethical Case Studies
• Professionalism and Professional Standards