ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

This reminds me of legislation passed in 1990 concerning Native American 
burial remains.  NAGPRA (Native American Grave Protection and 
Repatriation Act) was designed to bring another voice to the table, that 
of First Nation people (this includes native Hawaiians).  See: 
http://www.nps.gov/history/nagpra/MANDATES/25USC3001etseq.htm.  It also 
addresses remains found on federal land, and yes, there are fines levied 
for museum noncompliance (furthermore, you won't get anymore federal 
grants.)

NAGPRA provides a process for museums and Federal agencies to return 
certain Native American cultural items -- human remains, funerary 
objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony - to lineal 
descendants, culturally affiliated Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian 
organizations.  The act basically says that all museums with grave 
holdings need to contact the culturally affiliated group for a 
consultation to see if they wanted the objects or bones returned.  The 
challenge is that many of the items represent groups no longer extant, 
and no clear line of descent can be drawn between archaeological finds 
and  modern groups (and of course, individuals).  AND - who is the 
authorized individual who can make the call (after many years of working 
with native communities, I can testify to the internal struggles that 
arise).

However, the important outcome is that it did level the field, so that 
Native people have a say in the process, which is important, and many 
ethical discussions have ensued.  I suggest that people look to this 
legislation as an example...
Beryl

David Smith wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> That's a very good point.  It does seem that the law should exempt
> antiquities where there is no longer anyone to go to for consent.  Perhaps
> it would be appropriate for ASTC to formulate a set of ethical guidelines
> for ASTC centers or for accrediting exhibits rather than waiting for all 50
> states to formulate their own (different) standards.
>
> Dave Smith
>
>
> On Jan 27, 2008 12:53 AM, Diane Peapus <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>   
>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>> institutions.
>>
>> *****************************************************************************
>>
>>
>> How am I going to get consent from my mummy?
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------
>> The Californa State Assembly recently approved legislation that would
>> regulate exhibitions that display actual human bodies. <http://
>> blog.orselli.net/2008/01/end-of-human-body-exhibitions.html>
>>
>> Paul Orselli,
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------
>>     
>>> All that California is asking for is that
>>> exhibitions of remains get the same consent. That does not seem like it
>>>       
>> is
>>     
>>> going to limit our freedom to exhibit such things.
>>>
>>> Dave Smith
>>>
>>>       
>>
>>     

-- 
Beryl Rosenthal, Ph.D.
Director
Tsongas Industrial History Center
Boott Cotton Mills
115 John Street
Lowell, MA 01854
(978) 970-5081 (t)
(978) 970-5085 (f)
[log in to unmask]
www.uml.edu/tsongas

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