Indigenous peoples have long sought the return of ancestral human
remains and associated artifacts from western museums and scientific
institutions. Since the late 1970s their efforts have led museum
curators and researchers to re-evaluate their practices and policies in
respect to the scientific uses of human remains. New partnerships have
been established between cultural and scientific institutions and
indigenous communities. Human remains and culturally significant objects
have been returned to the care of indigenous communities, although the
fate of bones and burial artifacts in numerous collections remains
unresolved and, in some instances, the subject of controversy. In this
book, leading researchers from a wide range of disciplines in the
humanities and social sciences reflect critically on the historical,
cultural, ethical and scientific dimensions of repatriation. Through
various case studies they consider the impact of repatriation: what have
been the benefits, and in what ways has repatriation given rise to new
problems for indigenous people, scientists and museum personnel. It
features chapters by indigenous knowledge custodians, who reflect upon
recent debates and interaction between indigenous people and researchers
in disciplines with direct interests in the continued scientific
preservation of human remains.
In this book, leading researchers from a wide range of disciplines in
the humanities and social sciences reflect critically on the historical,
cultural, ethical and scientific dimensions of repatriation. Through
various case studies they consider the impact of repatriation: what have
been the benefits, and in what ways has repatriation given rise to new
problems for indigenous people, scientists and museum personnel. It
features chapters by indigenous knowledge custodians, who reflect upon
recent debates and interaction between indigenous people and researchers
in disciplines with direct interests in the continued scientific
preservation of human remains.
