Activity, Archaeological ethics and laws
Places and objects from the past are the tangible reminders of our history and our heritage, and many of these remains from the past are endangered. The ethical issues surrounding the protection of cultural resources are constantly being debated. Archaeologists, heritage managers, and many politicians have adopted the ethic of conservation and laws designed to ensure the protection of the nation's cultural heritage. Many issues surround the use of the past; easily causing conflict within a community. The issues involved in the use of the past are often complex and strike at the very core of a citizen's personal values. Being a responsible citizen means being informed about these issues and taking informed and thoughtful actions.
In this activity you have the opportunity to consider the issue presented below from both a personal and legal point of view.
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The city of Baltimore has acquired land for the construction of a football stadium that will house its new NFL franchise. The new facility will require construction of a highway extension, an interchange to connect the stadium with a nearby interstate highway, and an access way for an extension of Baltimore's light rail system. In compliance with federal and state laws, the proposed
rights-of-way, which pass directly in front of the stadium, must undergo an archaeological survey to determine if any cultural resources would be impacted during construction.
After several weeks of intense field site testing, archaeologists report that the site is of tremendous scientific and historical value and could help answer many questions concerning Maryland's aboriginal past. Archaeologists report that they have in fact uncovered an extensive concentration of human remains deposited in numerous large ossuaries. These remains have been identified by a forensic anthropologist as being Native American. Archaeologists, in compliance with federal and state preservation laws, halt further excavation and notify the Native American Tribal Council of Baltimore. Tribal leaders, led by the tyac, visit the excavation site and immediately identify many of the uncovered artifacts as ancient ceremonial burial objects.
Upon further investigation, tribal leaders inform archaeologists that the proposed stadium and highway construction site is the location of a cemetery of their ancestors, and that it has significant religious and heritage values to Maryland's Native American population. Tribal leaders demand that the site be covered again, and left undisturbed with no further archaeological excavation or stadium construction.
This demand sends shock waves through the Baltimore community, which has long sought the return of an NFL Team to the area. The Governor, the Mayor, members of the City Council, and Maryland's Congressional Delegation urge the immediate formation of a task-force charged with the task of making recommendations on the request of the tribal council.
You will speak at the task-force meeting on both your personal thinking on the issue (whether the stadium should be built) and your interpretation of the applicable laws. Please write the text of your speech within 2 to 3 double spaced pages. Clearly label the section that identifies your personal opinion and your legal thinking. Discuss the applicability of at least TWO laws.
Here is an excellent resource on archaeological ethics and laws.
This activity adapted from the Society for American Archaeology's website. SAA credits George Brauer, Director, Center for Archaeology, Office of Social Studies, Baltimore County Public Schools, Towson, Maryland for the activity.
In this activity you have the opportunity to consider the issue presented below from both a personal and legal point of view.
*********
The city of Baltimore has acquired land for the construction of a football stadium that will house its new NFL franchise. The new facility will require construction of a highway extension, an interchange to connect the stadium with a nearby interstate highway, and an access way for an extension of Baltimore's light rail system. In compliance with federal and state laws, the proposed
rights-of-way, which pass directly in front of the stadium, must undergo an archaeological survey to determine if any cultural resources would be impacted during construction.
After several weeks of intense field site testing, archaeologists report that the site is of tremendous scientific and historical value and could help answer many questions concerning Maryland's aboriginal past. Archaeologists report that they have in fact uncovered an extensive concentration of human remains deposited in numerous large ossuaries. These remains have been identified by a forensic anthropologist as being Native American. Archaeologists, in compliance with federal and state preservation laws, halt further excavation and notify the Native American Tribal Council of Baltimore. Tribal leaders, led by the tyac, visit the excavation site and immediately identify many of the uncovered artifacts as ancient ceremonial burial objects.
Upon further investigation, tribal leaders inform archaeologists that the proposed stadium and highway construction site is the location of a cemetery of their ancestors, and that it has significant religious and heritage values to Maryland's Native American population. Tribal leaders demand that the site be covered again, and left undisturbed with no further archaeological excavation or stadium construction.
This demand sends shock waves through the Baltimore community, which has long sought the return of an NFL Team to the area. The Governor, the Mayor, members of the City Council, and Maryland's Congressional Delegation urge the immediate formation of a task-force charged with the task of making recommendations on the request of the tribal council.
You will speak at the task-force meeting on both your personal thinking on the issue (whether the stadium should be built) and your interpretation of the applicable laws. Please write the text of your speech within 2 to 3 double spaced pages. Clearly label the section that identifies your personal opinion and your legal thinking. Discuss the applicability of at least TWO laws.
Here is an excellent resource on archaeological ethics and laws.
This activity adapted from the Society for American Archaeology's website. SAA credits George Brauer, Director, Center for Archaeology, Office of Social Studies, Baltimore County Public Schools, Towson, Maryland for the activity.
