ANTH 2 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Geoarchaeology, Zooarchaeology, Paleoethnobotany
29 Aug 2020
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Document Summary
The 19th-century spanish philosopher santayana said it best those who refuse to learn from the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them. Museum collections contain artifacts from many outside cultures that were collected long before modern rules in antiquities existed. Collecting was a privilege of wealthy and powerful states. Items were often removed illicitly by smuggling networks outside of official channels. Museums often looked the other way or did not ask questions re: where the object came from. Developing countries are starting to have a voice and items are being returned. Unesco 1970 convention: prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property. The united states was not signatory until 1983 and britain until 2001. Ethical responsibility shared by all to safeguard history. Circle of standing stones and earthworks in wiltshire, england. Bluestones came from wales; 170 miles away. The hidden landscapes project: joint british-austrian project to document underground features.
