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Whose Past? Debate on repatriation of artefacts and reburial of human remains

Durham University is organising a debate on the ethics of repatriation of human remains from museums.

From:
Durham university [1]

Durham University Archaeology Society Conference 2012
Whose Past? An Interdisciplinary debate on the repatriation of artefacts and reburial of human remains
Saturday April 28th 2012 10am-5pm

Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, Dawson Building, Durham University Science Site

Durham University Archaeology Society presents a one day interdisciplinary conference to be held at Durham University involving the Archaeology, Anthropology, Philosophy and Law departments from Durham and Newcastle University and selected guest speakers. This year’s theme ‘Whose Past? An Interdisciplinary debate on the repatriation of artefacts and reburial of human remains’ aims to generate a stimulating debate about the ownership and ethical principles associated with two types of archaeological material; artefacts and human remains, with the focus on the repatriation of artefacts and reburial of human remains.

The Conference will take place on Saturday April 28th 2012, in Lecture room D110, at the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, Dawson Building, Durham University Science Site.
Conference structure

09:00-09:45 Registration

09:45-10:00 Welcome – Professor Chris Higgins (Vice Chancellor, Durham University), Jamie Davies (Vice President, Durham University Archaeology Society), Professor Robin Coningham (Pro-Vice Chancellor in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health, Durham University) and Professor Geoffrey Scarre (Philosophy, Durham University, UK) .
Session 1: Artefacts

Chair: Professor Robin Coningham (Pro-Vice Chancellor in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health, Durham University)
Debate Question: ‘Western museums should take a sympathetic view to requests for the repatriation of cultural artefacts’.

10:00-10:20 – Speaker 1: Proposition – Professor Piotr Bienkowski (University of Manchester, UK)

10:20-10:40 – Speaker 2: Opposition – Dr Tiffany Jenkins (Sociologist and author of Contesting Human Remains in Museum Collections: The Crisis of Cultural Authority)

10:40-11:00 – Tea/Coffee Break

11:00-11:20 – Speaker 3: Dr Robin Skeates (Archaeology, Durham University, UK)

11:20-11:40 – Speaker 4: Professor Robert Layton (Anthropology, Durham University, UK)

12:00-12:20 – Speaker 5: Dr Andreas Pantazatos (Philosophy, Durham University, UK)

12:20-12:40 – Speaker 6: Professor Tom Allen (Law, Durham University, UK)

12:40-13:00 – Open Discussion

13:00-14:00 – Lunch
Session 2: Human Remains

Chair: Professor Geoffrey Scarre (Philosophy, Durham University, UK)
Debate Question: ‘The recent legislative changes relating to human remains are a threat to academic research’.

14:00-14:20 – Speaker 1: Proposition – Dr Duncan Sayer (Archaeology, University of Central Lancashire)

14:20-14:40 – Speaker 2: Opposition Paper by Emma Restall Orr (Honouring the Ancient Dead), presented by Lauren Moreau (Leeds University)

14:40-15:00 – Break

15:20-15:40 – Speaker 3: Professor Charlotte Roberts (Archaeology, Durham University, UK)

15:40-16:00 – Speaker 4: Dr Myra Giesen (International Centre for Cultural & Heritage Studies, Newcastle University, UK)

16:00-16:20 – Speaker 5: Dr Ian Kidd (Philosophy, Durham University, UK)

16:20-16:40 – Speaker 6: Dr Liz White (International Centre for Cultural & Heritage Studies, Newcastle University, UK)

16:40-17:00 – Open Discussion

17:00-17:30 – Conference Conclusions

17:30 Wine Reception

More information about the conference and a registration form are available to download.

The final registration deadline is Friday 20th April 2012.

Please register in advance to avoid disappointment as spaces are limited.

For more information, please contact Jamie Davies (Vice President, Durham University Archaeology Society) at j.g.davies@durham.ac.uk or archaeology.society@durham.ac.uk