Archaeological Ethics
Dealing withHuman Remains
Who controls the past?
Who owns the past?
Conservation &
Preservation
ReconstructionOf sites
ArchaeologicalEthics
Reconstruction of a Site
• Archaeologists can use reconstruction of buildings / sites to help interpret the past.
• So we must ask, should archaeologists
reconstruct or leave it as they find it?
Questions to ask….
• Will the process of reconstruction be destructive?
• How authentic will the reconstruction be?
• Can we learn more about the past from the site as it is?
• Could archaeologists make mistakes in the reconstruction and give a false interpretation?
Reconstruction of a Site
Is this really what a mammoth bone hut looked like 10 000 years ago?
British archeologist Arthur Evans re-built some sections of the palace at Knossos based on existing knowledge of the Minoan civilisation.
The pillars were built based on relief paintings & the size of the pillar bases that were still present. interesting, but it simply wouldn't happen today.
Example of some reconstruction of shop fronts at Pompeii
Activity
• Research the work of Arthur Evans at the palace of Knossos and the
• Answer the following in 1 A4 page:
Should Sir Arthur Evans have reconstructed this archaeological site? Give reasons for your opinion.
Conservation – Preserving the Past
• Archaeological sites are finite, non-renewable resources.
• Information about the human past is being destroyed.
• A big issue in archaeology is - how to conserve a site?
• Conservation groups work to conserve and protect archaeological sites across the world.
• Examples include:– UNESCO (United Nations)– ICOMOS (International Council on Sites and
Monuments)– Australian Heritage Commission– Rescue (British Group)
Conservation – Preserving the Past
• Sometimes conservation requires dramatic, emergency large-scale rescues of sites.
For example: Abu Simbel temples of Ramesses II. This site was saved from submersion in the Nile River. Cost 40 million, took about 4 years.
Conservation – Preserving the Past
Abu Simbel temples of Ramesses II
• Other times, conservation is about how to best preserve the site while allowing the public to learn from and enjoy visiting an archaeological site.
For Example: • Building of a replica cave of Lascaux in
France.
Conservation – Preserving the Past
Lascaux cave in France – replica cave built to conserve original site.