- Library Home /
- Search Collections /
- Open Collections /
- Browse Collections /
- UBC Theses and Dissertations /
- Consultation, collaboration and community participation...
Open Collections
UBC Theses and Dissertations
UBC Theses and Dissertations
Consultation, collaboration and community participation : the archaeological excavation of two prehistoric Inupiaq burials at Kotzebue, Alaska Devinney, Eileen
Abstract
In recent years anthropologists have begun to reflect more upon their obligations to the communities which they study and serve. Native communities have also become more aware of their potential role in decisions affecting aspects of their cultural heritage. Increasingly these two groups have striven to develop collaborative approaches to conducting research. Collaboration among Native Americans, archaeologists, and anthropologists may provide benefits not only to the scientific community, but also to the Native American community. Dialogs and exchanges of information throughout the collaborative process greatly enhance mutual understanding and respect between the many individuals involved. Focusing on a particular incident, this paper explores a particularly sensitive area of archaeological collaboration - the identification and excavation of prehistoric human burials. When a private land owner discovered indigenous human remains on his property in Kotzebue, Alaska, during the summer of 1995, he immediately consulted the local native community and an archaeologist for advice and recommendations in handling the disinterment and relocation of the remains. Archaeological excavation of the remains was recommended and supported, as many felt that it could provide both the community and researchers with valuable data about prehistoric Inupiaq culture. Easily accessible to local residents, the excavation site drew steady crowds of curious onlookers. The immediate sharing of findings at the site created a dynamic atmosphere, fostering greater trust and interest between community members and researchers while also stimulating local interest in Inupiaq history and culture.
Item Metadata
Title |
Consultation, collaboration and community participation : the archaeological excavation of two prehistoric Inupiaq burials at Kotzebue, Alaska
|
Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
|
Date Issued |
1997
|
Description |
In recent years anthropologists have begun to reflect more upon their obligations to the
communities which they study and serve. Native communities have also become more aware of
their potential role in decisions affecting aspects of their cultural heritage. Increasingly these two
groups have striven to develop collaborative approaches to conducting research. Collaboration
among Native Americans, archaeologists, and anthropologists may provide benefits not only to
the scientific community, but also to the Native American community. Dialogs and exchanges of
information throughout the collaborative process greatly enhance mutual understanding and
respect between the many individuals involved. Focusing on a particular incident, this paper
explores a particularly sensitive area of archaeological collaboration - the identification and
excavation of prehistoric human burials. When a private land owner discovered indigenous
human remains on his property in Kotzebue, Alaska, during the summer of 1995, he immediately
consulted the local native community and an archaeologist for advice and recommendations in
handling the disinterment and relocation of the remains. Archaeological excavation of the
remains was recommended and supported, as many felt that it could provide both the community
and researchers with valuable data about prehistoric Inupiaq culture. Easily accessible to local
residents, the excavation site drew steady crowds of curious onlookers. The immediate sharing of
findings at the site created a dynamic atmosphere, fostering greater trust and interest between
community members and researchers while also stimulating local interest in Inupiaq history and
culture.
|
Extent |
2867417 bytes
|
Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
|
Language |
eng
|
Date Available |
2009-03-24
|
Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
|
Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
|
DOI |
10.14288/1.0058389
|
URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
|
Graduation Date |
1997-11
|
Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
|
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
|
Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.