Who Owns the Past? Archaeology, Museums, and Politics in the 21st Century

4.0 credits

As the recent destruction of the archaeological site of Palmyra in Syria and the removal of Confederate statues in New Orleans show, historical objects, monuments, and sites are not relegated to the past; instead, they are the building blocks of modern identities and politics. This course examines current issues concerning the ownership, protection, and presentation of cultural heritage, including particularly archaeological and historical objects, monuments, and sites. The course begins with introductory information about archaeology, museum studies, and cultural heritage law. We then consider such questions as: Who decides what cultural heritage is significant? Who should determine how archaeological and historical sites are presented to the public? Should private individuals be allowed to purchase objects of historical or archaeological significance? What moral and ethical responsibilities do museums have? Who owns cultural objects taken in the context of warfare?