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Subject:
From:
Guy Prouty <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 17 Aug 1994 07:40:40 -0700
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Even though this response does not directly answer your question,  I
would like to address an important and sensitive issue: displaying human
remains.  As an archaeologist here is Oregon, we are required by law and
by Native American requests to treat all burials that we encounter with
care and respect.  In no way would we put on display any burials in our
museums, whether Native American, Egyptian, Peruvian, Chinese, or anybody
else.  Doing so is not only disrespectful but unethical in most minds of
archaeologists and museum specialists here in the USA.  How is this issue
viewed in Australia?  Has there been any serious discussion about this?  I
believe that one country displaying human remains and another unwilling
to do so is a double standard and not good for the anthropology field as a
whole.  I appreciate your comments.  Thank you very much, Guy Prouty, Oregon
State Museum of Anthropology.
 
On Wed, 17 Aug 1994, Geoff Holden wrote:
 
> We are contemplating a display for 1996 which will hopefully include some
> mummies (Egyptian, Peruvian and possibly Chinese). The exhibition area
> concerned has air conditioning which could only be described as medium
> quality - and it would cost much too much to upgrade it to a highest
> quality level. Sooooo - we are wondering if it is practical to put the
> mummies in a very large display case which IS properly controlled. But I
> wonder if there is a possibility of misting on the glass, either on the
> outside surface or the inside. Would double glazing help?
>
> Has anyone any experience in this area? We would welcome comments,
> experiences and even "but surely you realize that"s.
>
> Geoff Holden
> Curator of Communications and some very odd projects indeed
> Scienceworks
> Museum of Victoria
> Australia
>

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