Participation of National Geographic in these activities is a direct violation of professional ethics. I am sure it violates the ethics statements of SHA and SAA (as well as the intention, if perhaps not the letter, of the UNESCO conventions against illicit transfer of cultural property); I do not know if it would violate any ethics statements of the National Geographic Society. A quick search of their site ("ethics" and "cultural property") comes up with a link to this blog:
http://blogs.ngm.com/blog_central/2007/10/antiquities-and-native-soil.html
which discusses repatriation of human remains and associated artifacts from Machu Picchu, in that NG was a sponsor of Bingham's work there in 1912.
I would think that the way to proceed here might be to have a society-to-society contact, from SHA, SAA or both, to point out how National Geographic is edging into an ethical grey area (at the least) by their connection to these programs. NG, it appears, needs to be advised that, by sponsoring or otherwise maintaining a connection to these programs, they are demonstrating that their protection of cultural property has not advanced in the past 100 years. Is this what one of the oldest scientific societies in the United States really wants to do?
D. Babson.
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jones, Joseph B
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2012 2:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: National geographic
Unfreakingbelievable. The constant threat posed by uninformed, or in some cases willfully ignorant/unethical relic collectors is bad enough...just remarkable that it's come to this; professional stewards having to keep tabs on what these people from NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC are up to??? Yeah yeah, I realize there must be some distinction between the NG that supports legitimate archaeological research and the NG cable TV channel, but still, don't know about y'all, but never would've predicted we'd ever be watching our backs and trying to anticipate which archaeological site those people from NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC are gonna be looting next for their TV show.
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Riordan, Timothy B
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2012 1:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: National geographic
They do seem to be focused on Southern Maryland. At an event a few weeks ago, one of the producers of the show approached an administrative staffer at Historic St. Mary's City to see if there was anything they could "help" us with. We informed him in no uncertain terms that their "help" was not needed.
Tim
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2012 12:47 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: National geographic
HEADS UP
National Geographic contacted a historic house here in Maryland today looking for a location for their show on metal detecting. They stated a specific interest in southern Maryland.
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