Hello everyone!

I have been following the dialogue about NAGPRA and BattleField
Trophies, and it has raised a few questions.  Keep in mind that this
might just be a question of semantics, but maybe there is more here
than it first appears.

Is it the role of a museum to preserve a "culture"?  Or instead, are
we supposed to preserve "material culture"?  The difference in these
two phrases is immense.  "Culture" includes more than just "stuff."
"Culture" would have to include the actions, intentions, and moral
compulsions of a society.  Is this what we are trying to preserve, or
should we focus on preserving the material culture, which would let us
"interpret" the culture?

Also, how far should a museum go in trying to interpret a society or
culture?  It seams that to accurately interpret or portray a culture
or society, the material culture objects would have to be "used" by
members from that culture that know how the objects are/were
"supposed" to be used.  If the objects are being used, are they being
adequately preserved?  What about the question of consumptive use?
(Can you tell that I am a "don't touch the stuff" curator and not a
"hand's on" educator?)

One final debate follows.  If we are supposed to preserve the material
culture of a society, then does it matter "where" these objects are
stored?  Or, if we are going to "interpret" these artifacts, do they
have to be displayed/used only in their native location?  If this is
the case, then are we not just interpreting a specific culture to a
group that (should) already know that culture?  Would this
interpretation not be better suited at a "foreign" locale?

I hope that these questions will raise/stimulate more of the
thoughtful dialogue that prompted them.  I look forward to all your
replies.

By the way, I am not trying to offend anyone with these questions.
Just stimulate some thought.  And yes, we do support and abide by
NAGPRA.


Jim McCrain
Chief Curator
Old City Park
Dallas, Texas
[log in to unmask]

"All opinions expressed here are mine, and mine alone.  They do not
necessarily reflect those of the Dallas County Heritage Society or Old
City Park."