Conservation, Identity and Ownership in Indigenous Archaeology

Oxbow says : Debates over the rights of indigenous people to have access to, or lay claim to their ancestors and ancient sites have been very topical in archaeology and anthropology for some time now but there is still much ground to cover. The rights, needs and objections of indigenous populations can no longer be overlooked or over-ridden. This collection of essays, all of which stem from research seminars given at the Institute of Archaeology at University College London, and a series of subsiduary lectures, given in 2001, brings together a group of scholars to discuss various issues of conservation, identity and ownership in indigenous archaeology. A series of case studies from Japan, Siberia, Canada, Australia, North and South America and Africa, draw attention to issues of people's access to their cultural heritage, legal rights, ethical considerations, and questions of the classification of ancient artefacts and sites. Once museums and other heritage management groups, local government and educational bodies have been brought into the mix, this becomes a very complex subject. The papers highlight the benefits of collaboration, exploring what archaeologists can learn from working alongside indigenous peoples, and examine how these issues are transforming the field of archaeology.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; Who's Indigenous? Whose archaeology?; Ainu People of Japan; Archaeology & Indigenous People in Siberia; The Use of Archaeological & Anthropological Evidence in Aboriginal Rights Cases; Social Scientists & Native Title Cases in Australia; Indigenous Peoples Rights to their Cultural Heritage; Strands of Indigenism in the Andes; Museums & Communities in Africa; Archaeologists, Indigenous Peoples & Heritage in Argentina; Representation & the Kogi; Social Images Through Visual Images; The Maguta Museum for the Ticuna People, Amazonas, Brazil; Artefacts, Archaeologists & American Indians; Honour they Ancestor's Possessions; Indigenous Claims & Heritage Conservation; Applied Archaeology.

About the Author :
Bill Sillar is a lecturer and Associate Fellow at the Institute of Archaeology, UCL, UK. Cressida Fforde is Director of Research at Martlet Research and Logistics. Neal Ascherson, writer, journalist and editor of Public Archaeology is an honorary lecturer at the Institute of Archaeology, UCL, UK. Contributing authors include (amongst others): Jean Leclair, Peter Sutton, Denise Arnold, Lorna Abungu, Alan Ereira, Joe Watkins and Ann Kendall

Review :
"* 'The diverse examples and opinions expressed in this volume provide a timely reconsideration of how the on-going debate about indigenous peoples rights are transforming archaeology, heritage management, conservation, and museum practice across the world' Peter Ucko, Director, Institute of Archaeology, UCL, UK"