The Dead and their Possessions

Repatriation in Principle, Policy and Practice

Edited by Cressida Fforde, Jane Hubert, Paul Turnbull

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About the Book

Inspired by a key session for the World Archaeological Congress in South Africa, The Dead and their Possessions is the first book to tackle the principle, policy and practice of repatriating museum artefacts, rather than cultural heritage in general.

Increasingly, indigenous people world-wide are asserting their fundamental right to determine the future of the human remains of their ancestors, and are requesting their return, often for reburial, with varying degrees of success. This repatriation campaign has become hugely significant in universities and museums where human remains uncovered through archaeological excavation have been retained for the scientific study of past populations.

This book will be invaluable to those involved in the collection and repatriation of remains and cultural objects to indigenous groups.

Reviews

"Jane Hubert and Cressida Fforde introduce 27 engrossing papers on the problems of ethics and ownership arising over how First World biological anthropologists and museums treat human remains from 'developing' countries and Fourth World peoples." - Antiquity

About the Author(s)

Cressida Fforde is an independent researcher and holds an honorary post at the Institute of Archaeology, University of London.
Jane Hubert is Senior Research Fellow and Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Dept of Psychiatry of Disability at St George's Hospital Medical School.
Paul Turnball is Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Cross-Cultural Research, Australian National University