RUcore Resource Object
RUcore Resource Object
PDF-1(534.53 KB)
TitleMust be treated with respect
NameRagsdale, Randi Renee (author), St. Clair Harvey, Archer (chair), Woodhouse-Beyer, Katherine (co-chair), Fabian, Ann (internal member), Rutgers University, Graduate School - New Brunswick,
Degree Date2012-05
Date Created2012
SubjectArt History,
Human remains (Archaeology)--Moral and ethical aspects,
Dead--Moral and ethical aspects,
Human remains (Archaeology)--Law and legislation
DescriptionThis paper explores the ethical protocols for the handling of human remains sourced in Central America and stored in academic collections within the United States. Although all such institutions profess a commitment that osteological remains “Must be treated with respect,” the definition of what constitutes “respect” is often subjective. My research and data collected will draw upon the international mandates that govern the exportation, storage, study, and conservation of human remains with attention to three aspects that contribute to the legal framework in which human remains fall: 1) The laws and where they originate; 2) The organizations that maintain these laws; and 3) The extent by which these laws are applied and enforced. I will compare varying internal policies directed towards the conservation and handling of human remains in four academic institutions. As these policies and practices are necessarily institution-specific, they will be compared to demonstrate areas of significant alignment and areas of contrast. The ultimate goal is to establish how following ethical guidelines can become a sustainable feature in archaeological practice by crafting a framework in which ethical principles are designed in such a way that they can have a positive impact on the quality of scientific data. This position is supported by a demonstration of how standardization in ethical issues has consequences for the standardization in the scientific method and long-term conservation of remains. Other improvements discussed include the possibility for enhanced international cultural diplomacy to impact the overall discipline of archaeology in the public perception of its role as a steward of important cultural heritage.
NoteM.A.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
NoteIncludes vita
Noteby Randi Renee Ragsdale
Genretheses
Persistent URLhttp://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/rucore10001600001.ETD.000065248
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.