Formulating a Code of Ethics for the Scientific Analysis of Archaeological Materials
26th EAA Virtual Annual Meeting: Abstract Book 2020
Marianne Mödlinger, Evelyne Godfrey, Andris Kairišs, Irka Hajdas

Members of the EAA Community on the Illicit Trade in Cultural Material formed a Task Force working on the formulation on a Code of Ethics for the scientific analyses of archaeological material. The justification, objectives and structure of the code will be briefly described in the course of the presentation. This code aims to set minimum standards of professional practice and performance for archaeologists, conservators, and scien¬tists from other disciplines undertaking analysis and investigative conservation of archaeological materials. In recent years, archaeologists and scientists based in laboratories of different kinds have experienced increasing demands for scientific examination and expert appraisal of archaeological artefacts and samples. These requests derive not only from archae¬ological field units, public museums, Local or Regional Authorities, universities or other public research institutions, but also from private clients such as antiquities dealers, auction houses, private collections, and individual owners or their representatives. Private clients requesting such work often seek to obtain a “Certificate of Authenticity”. These documents typically focus on sci¬entific measurement of the approximate age of the object by archaeometric dating methods, or evidence for possible forgeries. Presentation of data from scientific analyses, or an expert archaeological appraisal, can in effect help to enhance the saleability, and to increase the financial value, of the object, hence supporting the commercial trade in archaeological material on the art market.


Keywords
Code of Ethics, scientific analyses, archaeological expertise, cultural heritage objects
Hyperlink
https://www.e-a-a.org/EAA2020virtual/Programme.aspx?WebsiteKey=79538f04-4210-43d4-90c1-704213a00c84&hkey=e5eed11c-a2ea-404a-86f3-482344cb3829&Program=2#Program

Mödlinger, M., Godfrey, E., Kairišs, A., Hajdas, I. Formulating a Code of Ethics for the Scientific Analysis of Archaeological Materials. In: 26th EAA Virtual Annual Meeting: Abstract Book, Hungary, Budapest, 24-30 August, 2020. Prague: 2020, pp.237-237. ISBN 978-80-907270-7-6.

Publication language
English (en)
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