Proposing a Global Charter and Advisory Body on Ethical Engagements with Ancestral and Archaeological Human Remains Workshop

The World Archaeological Congress has a long tradition of advocating for better practices in engagements with ancestral and archaeological human remains, their descent communities, and ‘communities of implication’. The Vermillion Accord on Human Remains was adopted at WAC 1989 in South Dakota, USA, and the Tamaki Makau-rau Accord on the Display of Human Remains and Sacred Objects was adopted at WAC 2006 in Osaka, Japan. While the principles of both accords remain of great value, it has nonetheless been 36 and 19 years respectively since their adoption. The 21st Century has seen the emergence of issues worthy of consideration in this realm, including but not limited to scientific advancements, Black Lives Matter, and De- and Anticolonial imperatives, to name a few. Furthermore, despite the unique status of ancestral and archaeological human remains in global cultural heritage, there is no international charter/convention on standards, principles, or protections; no international advisory body or committee within which pertinent matters can be addressed; and no dedicated forum in which ideas, resources, and better practice strategies can be shared, developed and circulated on a regular basis. In the absence of such a body and charter/convention, ancestral and archaeological human remains and those who care about and work with them are not receiving the attention and support worthy of their status. This does not reflect well upon our moral or ethical obligations or duty of care towards past peoples and descent communities today, nor the values and practices we seek to instil and uphold for future generations.

This workshop will:

1. reflect on the Vermillion and Tamaki Makau-rau Accords in relation to the contemporary world and disciplinary practices;

2. audit the current situation of ancestral and archaeological human remains within leading international regulatory bodies;

3. map prospective opportunities and entities for collaboration; and

4. plan next steps, if required.

The end goals of this workshop are to establish a global network of people interested in these matters, refresh their priority in WAC, and determine a path towards formal recognition and positioning of ancestral and archaeological human remains on the international cultural heritage agenda.