The history of the interactions of archaeologist and anthropologists with the Native peoples of the Western hemisphere (or any hemisphere) is not a happy one. In fact, it has been argued that the professions operated as an extension of the conquerors, digging up the bones of ancestors, stealing the religious heritage of the people, both by taking the physical items associated with their religion and by publishing analyses of cultural practices looked at solely from the perspective of the dominant culture. Much has happened recently to curb many of the most objectionable practices. Laws have been passed to facilitate repatriation of bones for reburial. International conventions attempt to curb the trade in stolen cultural property. (See the real property section.) Here we will point to resources for archaeology as practiced today and reading on the history of the subject.
Archaeological Organizations
Return to Home