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."