CLAS 309 - Archaeological Ethics: Digging Up the Dead and Other Problems in Archaeology

FC ARHU CD

4 credits
In this course we will explore ethical questions about the practice of archaeology, and what should be done when digging up the past impacts those still living. We will study the colonial history of archaeology as a discipline and a practice, asking who benefits from archaeological excavation and what power structures are at play. Together we will pose questions such as which sites are excavated and why, to whom do artifacts belong, and whose voices are considered. Students will investigate real-world cases of archaeological ethics in practice, with examples taken from the distant past as well as from contemporary events. In the process, we will reflect on what choices have been made in the past and the ethical grounds or justifications behind these decisions, and deliberate over what actions should be made in the future.
Prerequisites & Notes: None