Selected Statements of Ethics, Best Practice and Policy

Regarding Cultural Property, Antiquities, and Anthropological/Archaeological Objects

Archaeological Societies

Archaeological Institute of America

• 1991 Code of Ethics (pdf)
• public response to AAMD acquisitions policies for antiquities
• general page of information regarding antiquities acquisitions:
• AIA guidelines for acquisitions (pdf)
• AIA formal statement regarding AAMD guidelines (pdf)
• AIA statement regarding 1954 Hague Convention (pdf); does not address US Committee of the Blue Shield

Australian Archaeological Association

• 1991 Code of Ethics

Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists

• 1980 Code of Ethics

Canadian Archaeological Association

• 1999 Statement Of Principles For Ethical Conduct Pertaining To Aboriginal Peoples

European Association of Archaeologists

• 1997 EAA Code of Practice
• 1998 EAA Principles of Conduct

Institute of Field Archaeologists

• Codes, bylaws, standards and policy statements

Register of Professional Archaeologists

• 1998 Code of Conduct and Standards of Research Performance

Society for American Archaeology

• 1996 Principles of Archaeological Ethics
• editorial policy, see p. 5 (pdf)
• recent news in archaeological ethics
• Case Studies from the Annual Archaeological Ethics Bowl

Society for Historical Archaeology

• 1993 Standards and Guidelines for the Curation of Archaeological Collections, SHA Newsletter. 26(4):3-5
• Ethical Principles of the Society for Historical Archaeology

World Archaeological Congress

• 1989 Vermillion Accord on Human Remains
• 1990 First Code of Ethics

Anthropology Organizations

American Anthropological Association

• 1998 Code of Ethics of the American Anthropological Association
• 1967 Statement on Problems of Anthropological Research and Ethics
• 1971 Principles of Professional Responsibility
• 2007 Draft Response to AAMD Guidelines (wording same as SAA and CMA responses)
• Ethics Case Study, "To Accept or not Accept," with commentary

Association for Social Anthropologists

• Ethical Guidelines

National Association for the Practice of Anthropology

• 1988 Ethical Guidelines for Practitioners

Society for Applied Anthropology

• 1983 Statement of Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

Museum Organizations

American Association of Museums

• 1991 Code of Ethics for Museums
• 2006 Statement on Cultural Property Issues
• 2006 Accreditation Commission Statement on Acquisition, Documentation and Transparency regarding Cultural Property (pdf)

International Council of Museums

• 1986 ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums

Association of Art Museum Directors

• 2004 AAMD Statement on Acquisition of Archaeological Materials and Ancient Art (pdf)
• 2006 AAMD Guidelines for Loans of Ancient Art (pdf)

Other Cultural Resource Organizations

American Cultural Resources Association

• 1996 Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of the American Cultural Resources Association

American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Work

• 1994 AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice

International Council on Monuments and Sites

• ICOMOS home
• Charters Adopted by the General Assembly of ICOMOS
• Burra Charter: The Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance
• 1990 Charter for the Protection and Management of the Archaeological Heritage
• 1996 Charter on the Protection and Management of Underwater Cultural Heritage
• 2002 (revised) Ethical Commitment Statement for ICOMOS Members

Illicit Antiquities Research Centre - A project of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research

• IARC home
• Culture Without Context

Protocols for Native American Archival Materials

• Protocols for Native American Archival Materials home

The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia

• Policy on Management of Culturally Sensitive Material

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