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Department of Conservation and Restoration, Research Center for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Relics, Tehran, Iran , ealimirzaei@yahoo.com
Abstract: (653 Views)
The edited volume Ethical Approaches to Human Remains: A Global Challenge in Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology (Springer, 2019), compiled by Kirsty Squires, David Errickson, and Nicholas Márquez-Grant, presents a multidisciplinary examination of the ethical, legal, and cultural complexities surrounding human remains in bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology, and museum curation. Adopting an international and interdisciplinary lens, the book addresses postmortem human dignity, Indigenous rights concerning ancestral remains, ethical dilemmas in genetic sampling, public display controversies, and the management of remains from mass disasters and war crimes. Structured into three sections, the work first explores philosophical foundations (e.g., moral personhood of the dead and human rights frameworks). The second section analyzes practical challenges in excavation, preservation, and exhibition, while the third offers global case studies (North America, New Zealand, Spain, and the Middle East) to contextualize Indigenous ethical perspectives. Strengths include its theory-practice balance, cross-cultural dialogue emphasis, and policy recommendations. However, limited coverage of regions like the Middle East and emerging issues such as digital repatriation are noted gaps. This volume serves as an essential resource for archaeologists, forensic specialists, curators, and heritage policymakers, particularly in contexts like Iran where formal ethical protocols are underdeveloped.
Keywords: Human remains, Archaeological Ethics, Bioarchaeology, Forensic anthropology, Cultural heritage management, International challenges
Technical Note: Book Review |
Subject:
Conservation Science
Received: 2025/04/18 | Accepted: 2025/05/21
Received: 2025/04/18 | Accepted: 2025/05/21
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