Archaeological ethics refers to the moral issues raised through the study of the material past. It is a branch of the philosophy of archaeology. This article will touch on human remains, the preservation and laws protecting remains and cultural items, issues around the globe, as well as preservation and ethnoarchaeology.
Archaeologists are bound to conduct their investigations to a high standard and observe intellectual property laws, health and safety regulations, and other legal obligations.[1] Archaeologists in the field are required to work towards the preservation and management of archaeological resources, treat human remains with dignity and respect, and encourage outreach activities. Sanctions are in place for those professionals who do not observe these ethical codes. Questions regarding archaeological ethics first began to arise during the 1960s and 1970s in North America and Western Europe.[2] A UNESCO ratification to protect world culture in 1970 was one of the earliest actions to implement ethical standards.[2] Archaeologists conducting ethnoarchaeological research, which involves the study of living people, are required to follow guidelines set by the Nuremberg Code (1947) and the Declaration of Helsinki (1964).[3]
- ^ "NPS Archeology Program: Archeology Law and Ethics". nps.gov. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
- ^ a b Galor, Katharina (2017), "Archaeological Ethics", Finding Jerusalem, Archaeology between Science and Ideology, University of California Press, pp. 100–116, JSTOR 10.1525/j.ctt1pq349g.13, retrieved 2020-07-31
- ^ Parker, Michael (2007-12-01). "Ethnography/ethics". Social Science & Medicine. Informed Consent in a Changing Environment. 65 (11): 2248–2259. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.08.003. ISSN 0277-9536. PMID 17854966.