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Figure 3: Sufficient ethical standards were maintained at work Figure 5: “Which of the following challenges have you faced?” Figure 4: “Which of the following ethical issues have you encountered?“ 1.In2PAST–Associate Laboratory for Research & Innovation in Heritage, Arts, Sustainability & Territory 2.Laboratory of Biological Anthropology and Human Osteology–LABOH, CRIA, FCSH, NOVA University Lisbon 3.Direção Municipal de Cultura e Património da Câmara Municipal do Porto 4.Arqueologia e Património Lda. 5.Universidade Fernando Pessoa: Porto, & CAPP ISCSP, Universidade de Lisboa (Not so) Eternal Rest: Ethical Considerations in the Curation of Human Remains from Archaeological Contexts Introduction This research investigates current discourses and practices in heritage management and curation of archaeological human remains and associated data in Portugal (figure 1). Much has been said about the curation crisis in archaeology—the quantities excavated outpace our ability to adequately study and care for what we uncover. How this affects human remains, is seen in the example of Porto (figure 2): while the number of excavations per year remains stable, the frequency of excavations increases, at the same time gaps in the data (highlighted with stars) reveal a backlog of archaeological reporting. In addition to concerns about ethical heritage stewardship, archaeological human remains also raise specific ethical questions related to the care for and dignity of the dead and their relationships to the living. Results & Discussion Views on ethical best practices are varied and polarised in Portugal. The preliminary results of this ongoing research indicate that Portuguese professionals report encountering less ethical issues in the treatment of human remains than international respondents (figures 3 & 4). At the same time Portuguese report facing more challenges in maintaining their ethical standards (figure 5). This is mirrored in qualitative research which highlights a lack of resources for storage and conservation conditions, and under explored research potential. However, professionals also advocate for and pursue a wide range of activities to improve ethical discourses and practices (figure 6). Terms like care and respect are often invoked but their meanings are varied and often remain vague. Conclusions Heritage professionals in Portugal face a lack of resources to ensure ethical best practices, but they are resourceful and creative in pursuing adequate treatment of archaeological human remains. Engagement with diverse descendant communities remains relatively low despite the multicultural nature of Portuguese society. Increased education on the work and value of archaeology, both in the public realm and professional training is often seen as necessary for better resourcing, as well as in order to improve ethical standards. At the same time archaeologist and other heritage professionals must critically reflect on their role in shaping politics and society, and the ethical obligations that entails towards the living and the dead. Methods Qualitative research was conducted in Porto and consisted of participant observations at the archaeological service of the city council and within the commercial archaeology sector, as well as semi-structured interviews with heritage professionals. This is supplemented by quantitative data collected in online surveys of Portuguese (n=51) and international (n=67) respondents. Acknowledgments We are grateful to colleagues in Portugal and internationally who contributed their time, experiences and opinions to this research. Figure 1 is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license, accessed via: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Loca tionPortugalInEurope.png Figure 2: Trends in Archaeological Human Remains Excavated in Porto Figure 1: Portugal Figure 6: Proposed avenues to improve ethical practiced & their relative frequency in qual. data Funding The BeFRAIL project is funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) (ref.2022.02398.PTDC/; DOI: https://doi.org/10.54499/2022.02398.PTDC) and CRIA’s Strategic Development Plan (UID/04038/2020). This works is further funded by IN2PAST (ref.LA/P/0132/2020/; DOI:https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0132/2020). Zélia Rodrigues is funded by FCT through her PhD research (ref.2023.00944.BDANA; DOI: https://doi.org/10.54499/2023.00944.BDANA) and Anne Malcherek is funded by FCT through her PhD research (ref: 2024.02630.BDANA).. Francisca Alves Cardoso is further funded by the project Life After Death (ref. 2020.01014.CEECIND/CP1634/CT0002, DOI: https://doi.org/10.54499/2020.01014.CEECIND/CP1634/CT0002). Anne Malcherek ¹ ² ³, Zélia Rodrigues ¹ ² ⁴, Manuela Ribeiro ³, Paula Mota Santos ⁵, Francisca Alves Cardoso ¹ ²
Abstract #1406 (Not so) Eternal Rest: Ethical Considerations in the Curation of Human Remains from Archaeological Contexts Anne Malcherek 1,2,3 Zélia Rodrigues 1,2,4 Manuela Ribeiro 3 Paula Mota Santos 5,6 Francisca Alves Cardoso 1,2 1 Laboratory of Biological Anthropology and Human Osteology–LABOH, CRIA, FCSH, NOVA University Lisbon 2 In2PAST–Associate Laboratory for Research & Innovation in Heritage, Arts, Sustainability & Territory 3 Direção Municipal de Cultura e Património da Câmara Municipal do Porto 4 Arqueologia e Património Lda. 5 Universidade Fernando Pessoa: Porto 6 CAPP ISCSP, Universidade de Lisboa Keywords: human remains, bioarchaeology, ethics, curation, museum collections Abstract Debates about appropriate treatment of human remains held by museums and universities have proliferated in recent decades. Legacy anatomical collections, and collections connected to colonial contexts have rightfully been scrutinized. Human remains also frequently emerge during archaeological excavations, conducted for scientific research or required by construction regulations, continually generating new collections to be curated by museums and other research and public institutions. However, ethics surrounding the care of archeological remains are less often explored. These ethical obligations include: heritage stewardship, scientific rigour, educational goals, wishes of descendant communities, and the rights and dignity of the individuals whose remains we study. While the availability and quality of legislative frameworks and official guidance concerning archaeological human remains varies, abundant literature exists to guide heritage professionals in their care. In practice, however, these professionals often experience tensions and navigate difficult decisions surrounding best curatorial and scientific practices, limited resources, professional and community expectations, and ethical considerations. This research investigates current discourses and practices in heritage management and curation of archaeological human remains and associated data in Portugal, where relevant legislation is lacking and practices vary. This is supplemented by comparisons to other European countries, in order to review and evaluate best practice approaches. The mixed methods approach utilises ethnographic methods (semistructured interviews, participant observation) and surveys of heritage professionals and local communities. This use of quantitative and qualitative data generates a complex view of the status quo and future directions in heritage management of human remains: showing that ethical discourses and best practice differ across countries (e.g. Germany, Italy, Portugal) and institutional settings, such as museums, commercial archaeology, public and academic settings. Likewise in a pluralistic society public attitudes towards appropriate care, research and display of human remains are multifaceted and contradictory, further complicating the role and responsibility of heritage professionals. This work was presented at the 31st European Association of Archaeologists Annual Meeting (Belgrade, Virtual). It was developed as part of the research project "BeFRAIL Porto in Times of Cholera and War: A Bioarchaeological Approach to Human Frailty" (ref: 2022.02398.PTDC; DOI: 10.54499/2022.02398.PTDC; www.befrail.org), and the PhD research project "Mortuary Practices in the Face of Mortality Crisis — A Story of Human Frailty and Resilience" (ref: 2024.02630.BDANA)
