Ethical Scenario:
Data recovery results in a large collection within which a small amount of human bone is found. The agency in consultation with Native Americans agrees that the entire collection is "sacred" and instructs the archaeologist to repatriate everything without catalogue or analysis. How does the archaeologist reconcile this directive with SAA and RPA ethical standards of reporting fully on excavation results?

Regards,

Jerry Schaefer
 
ASM Affiliates, Inc.                     
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-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ryan Kennedy
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2012 11:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: ethics question

Hello all,
As part of an archaeological ethics course I have been asked to observe and/or participate in an ethical conversation on a listserv, forum, etc. I thought it could be interesting to poll Histarch with a simple, two-part question:

1) What do you think is the single most important ethical concern for archaeologists today?

2) Very briefly, how do you define yourself as an archaeologist? (ie what sector do you work in, etc.)

Your answers will be used only to stimulate discussion in class, and I won’t share any personal or identifying information. Also, please feel free to shoot me an email off-list if you would be more comfortable doing so.

Thanks in advance to those of you who respond,
Ryan