Anthropology Final Paper
Who Owns The Past…?
4/28/13
Anthropology Final Paper
Archeologists study the past and other people 's cultures through things they find like artifacts, documents, people, or any other miscellaneous item. Their job is not easy and it takes quality time for them to interpret things. They first start out by doing research; finding out who lived there, what they did there, how the land was set up, and where the buildings were. Next, they survey the area. In the case of Fort Parker, they surveyed the land, but didn 't find much. However, they did find something which helped with their research. While they survey the land, they use different types of relative dating. They search until they find things that are worthwhile to look at. This part is very tedious because they want to make sure they don 't miss any prevalent artifacts. After the artifacts are found, they are cleaned then analyzed. Then they report the information and data gathered from the site and record it. Lastly, they make sure the artifacts are safely kept and stored, usually at a museum or research facility. Their job is not easy and archeologists take their time to make sure they do not ruin the artifacts or bones. (http://www.nps.gov/efmo/forteachers/so-what-does-an-archeologist-do.htm) Bahn points out that archeologist have to, “face accusation of racism, Eurocentrism, neocolonialism, grave-robbing, and male chauvinism” (Bahn, 80). So, why do Native Americans want to make sure all their ancestors are kept buried if archeologists treat them respectfully?
James Riding In thinks that the remains of prehistoric Native Americans should be reburied rather than studied. People say that artifacts have a history and are there for people to learn about the past. But, Native Americans, James In among them, disagree and think that their artifacts should be kept within their tribe and that their ancestors should be kept buried. They try to make sure that they get their artifacts back. For example, in 1989
4/28/13
Anthropology Final Paper
Archeologists study the past and other people 's cultures through things they find like artifacts, documents, people, or any other miscellaneous item. Their job is not easy and it takes quality time for them to interpret things. They first start out by doing research; finding out who lived there, what they did there, how the land was set up, and where the buildings were. Next, they survey the area. In the case of Fort Parker, they surveyed the land, but didn 't find much. However, they did find something which helped with their research. While they survey the land, they use different types of relative dating. They search until they find things that are worthwhile to look at. This part is very tedious because they want to make sure they don 't miss any prevalent artifacts. After the artifacts are found, they are cleaned then analyzed. Then they report the information and data gathered from the site and record it. Lastly, they make sure the artifacts are safely kept and stored, usually at a museum or research facility. Their job is not easy and archeologists take their time to make sure they do not ruin the artifacts or bones. (http://www.nps.gov/efmo/forteachers/so-what-does-an-archeologist-do.htm) Bahn points out that archeologist have to, “face accusation of racism, Eurocentrism, neocolonialism, grave-robbing, and male chauvinism” (Bahn, 80). So, why do Native Americans want to make sure all their ancestors are kept buried if archeologists treat them respectfully?
James Riding In thinks that the remains of prehistoric Native Americans should be reburied rather than studied. People say that artifacts have a history and are there for people to learn about the past. But, Native Americans, James In among them, disagree and think that their artifacts should be kept within their tribe and that their ancestors should be kept buried. They try to make sure that they get their artifacts back. For example, in 1989
Cited: Brunwasser, Mathew. "Burial Customs – Archaeology Magazine." Burial Customs - Archaeology Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013. . "So, What Does an Archeologist Do?" Effigy Mounds - National Mounument. National Parks Service, n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013. . "What Is NAGPRA?" National NAGPRA. National Parks Service, n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013. .