The Politics of Archaeology: Who Owns the Bones? [30min]

Malcolm Billings lifts the lid on the politics of archaeology and explores areas where archaeologists find themselves digging in dangerous ground. One of the most intense debates about archaeology concerns the digging up and treatment in museum collections of human remains -- whether they are the Aboriginal people of Australasia, Black slaves excavated during the construction of a Manhattan office block, or 7th Century monks washed up on the shores of Ireland. Malcolm asks how the needs of science can be reconciled with respect for human dignity and cultural and political sensitivities.