Additional Information

Available Through

Taylor & Francis Online

Language

English;French

Notes

Special Issue: The ethics of archaeological practice in Africa

Abstract: As custodians of an important section of Africa's past and advocates for the value of the past in the present/future, archaeologists working in universities, museums and heritage agencies or as commercial consultants are in positions of high responsibility. Most often neither the scale of the work involved, nor its significance, are matched adequately by the number of people employed or the level of remuneration. Archaeologists struggle under recurrently difficult working conditions and yet manage to deliver astonishing levels of service across Africa. This paper considers best practice in African archaeology and then asks whether this is being achieved in all sectors of the archaeological discipline. It considers the set of ethical values that should underpin good practice in African archaeology and the actions that need to be taken to enact these values more widely.

Additional tags: African archaeology; best practices; ethical values; jobs and compensation

Taxonomies

RPA Codes & Standards

• Adequate Preparation for Research Projects
• Appropriate Dissemination of Research
• 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
• Procedures for Field Survey or Excavation
• Specimen and Research Record Storage

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
• Principle 4: Responsibility for the availability of archaeological results within reasonable dispatch
• Principle 5: Recognition of aspirations of employees, colleagues and helpers in all matters of employment

Keywords & Terms

• Funding, Employment, and/or Compensation for Work
• Integrity of Research Methodology and Field Procedures
• Management of Cultural Resources, Heritage, History
• Museum, Collection, Curation and Display Standards
• Professional Relationships and Communication
• Professional Standards
• Promotion of Archaeological Research/Archaeology as Scientific Discipline
• Public Interest, Collaboration, Education, and Outreach

Topics & Issues

• Careers in Archaeology
• Class in Archaeology
• Compensation for Work
• Cultural Resource Management (CRM)
• Equity, Representation, and Diversity
• Ethical Responsibilities of Archaeologists
• Heritage Management
• Job Security, Unemployment, and Compensation