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Exercises in ethically engaged work in biological anthropology
Molly K Zuckerman1,2, Kathryn E Marklein3, Rita M Austin4
1Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures and Cobb Institute of Archaeology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA.
American Journal of Biological Anthropology
|August 23, 2024
Summary
Biological anthropology is navigating an ethical shift, emphasizing compassionate and reflexive practices. Case studies highlight challenges in handling human osteological collections and respecting deceased individuals and descendant communities.
Area of Science:
- Biological Anthropology
- Bioarchaeology
- Archaeology
Background:
- A significant ethical paradigm shift is occurring in biological anthropology.
- Scholars are increasingly focused on developing more ethical future practices in research, teaching, and fieldwork.
- Ethical considerations in the field are complex, diverse, and dynamic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reflect on the multifaceted ethical considerations within biological anthropology.
- To examine case studies illustrating ethical challenges in teaching collections, documented collections, and archaeological sites.
- To advocate for deliberate, reflexive, and compassionate approaches to ethical engagement.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of case studies from teaching, research, and fieldwork experiences.
- Discussion of the ethical implications of human osteological teaching collections (e.g., University of Louisville).
- Exploration of recontextualizing documented collections (e.g., Robert J. Terry Collection) through osteobiography and archival history.
- Examination of ethical concerns at an archaeological site in the U.S. Virgin Islands, considering climate change impacts.
Main Results:
- Human osteological collections can represent structural apathy evolving into structural violence.
- Recontextualizing documented collections can re-emphasize the humanity of deceased individuals.
- Ethical dilemmas arise when negotiating the wishes of the deceased with community history reconstruction, especially under climate change threats.
- No single case study serves as a perfect model for replication.
Conclusions:
- Progress in ethical engagement is worthwhile but challenging.
- Biological anthropologists must proceed collectively with deliberate, reflexive, and compassionate practices.
- Respect for deceased individuals, descendant communities, and colleagues is paramount.
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