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mtDNA and Archaeological Ethics

This source from the Canadian Journal of Archaeology discusses breaches of trust between archaeologists and Indigenous people. It provides an example in which researchers sought permission from Nuu-chah-nulth communities to obtain blood samples but later used the samples for mtDNA studies without their consent. It also discusses concerns about how scientists profit from the research they conduct.

Objects obtained by looters for the foreign antiquities trade often come from cemeteries. This is because grave goods are usually valuable items that are well intact. After this looting of cemeteries occurs, even if the artifacts are then recovered, the context of these sites is lost forever. To protect sites from looting, the 1970 UNESCO Convention took place. This convention prohibited the illicit import and export of cultural property or illegal looted artifacts. (Sourced from Week 3 Lecture 1)

The British Museum is famous for its extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts and more recently for the controversy that surrounds them. The British empire had a lot of colonies around the world at one time. Consequently, The British Museum today has many objects that the British acquired in their various colonial expeditions. (Week 3 Lecture 1)

Before 1990 archaeologists in the United States could dig up Native American sites with no restrictions. (Week 3 Lecture)

Other examples of archaeological material removed from its place of origin and controversy over its return include: the Nefertiti Bust.