Museum Education and Archaeological Ethics: An Approach to the Illicit Trade of Antiquities

Autor: Vasiliki Kassianidou, Eleni Aloupi-Siotis, Rea Apostolides, Wolfgang Davis, Wafaa El Saddik, Maria-Christina Yannoulatou, Peter Ashdjian, Raymund Gottschalk, Marina Vryonidou-Yiangou, V. Argyropoulos, Mona Abd el Nazeer, Stefan Simon, Kyriaki Polikreti
Přispěvatelé: EC Culture Programme 2007-2013 for their financial support of this project entitled: ‘Witness the Past’ Education Programs for Public and Culture Heritage Professionals on Illicit Trafficking of Antiquities.
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2014
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Conservation and Museum Studies; Vol 12, No 1 (2014); Art. 2
Journal of Conservation and Museum Studies, Vol 12, Iss 1 (2014)
ISSN: 1364-0429
2049-4572
Popis: Many museum educational programs and exhibitions worldwide, designed to communicate to the public the importance of archaeology, adopt a treasure hunt approach often inspired by emblematic mass culture figures, such as Indiana Jones or Lara Croft. Alternatively they organize exhibitions on the identification of fakes in the spirit of TV series such as 'X-files' or 'CSI'. These programs usually avoid dealing with a fundamental issue in archaeological practice, which pertains to the paramount importance of context and the scientific consequences of its destruction through, among others, the illicit trade of antiquities. The hesitation in promoting this sensitive topic may be due to the fact that many objects in major museum collections are often unprovenanced. Although the 'ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums' (2006, section 4.5) advises against displaying material of questionable origin, most museums do host such antiquities. The paper explores how museums can begin to discuss the issue of context using the materials produced by the European Culture project 'Witness the Past' (WTP): film documentaries or educational kits and related activities aimed at children on the topic of the importance of context and the destructive effects of the illicit trade of antiquities. The WTP project was implemented in three European museums as well as in Egypt and Jordan.
Databáze: OpenAIRE