I have an interesting ethical question that I would encourage
people to respond on.
Let say a commercial enterprise is involved in excavating
archaeological sites not necessarily illegally but primarily for
economic profit. A particular site is selected by this
enterprise and is excavated. Lets assume, for this discussion,
that the site is examined in a systematic fashion and recorded
properly. At the conclusion of the excavation a significant
majority of the objects are sold commercially. However, some are
held back and placed in a traveling exhibit that is quite
breathtaking. Your institution is approach as a venue for this
exhibit. Would you have any ethical concerns or would you except
this exhibit without reservations?
Brian Kimsey-Hickman