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Why are museums so important
Importance of museum
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Artifacts have been put into museums for many people, of different cultures and ethnicities, to see, uncover, and discover. Although, other artifacts have stayed in their original locations for people, of that culture, to learn what their society was and to learn about their great heritage. The issue to grapple with in this situation is: should archaeologists remove artifacts from their original historic sites and place them in museums, or should they leave the objects in their original locations? Looking at both sides of this controversy, it is clear that archaeologists should remove artifacts from their place of origin and place them into museums for everyone to see. This is bolstered by evidence from four reliable sources which include the fact that: …show more content…
When the artifacts’ place of origin start to deteriorate, it will cause damage to the artifact. Lastly, relocating artifacts to museum allow the rest of the world to learn of different cultures, ways of life, and discover new things. In different museums, around the world, artifacts will be away from the threat that is war and dispute; the priceless artifacts won’t get caught in the crossfire. When the artifacts stay in their places of origin, it makes them more vulnerable to being destroyed beyond saving. For example, in Iraq extremists who sought out to, “eviscerate a culture and rewrite history in its own brutal image.” “ISIS Raises Fears. . .” (CBS) destroyed many historical sites along with their priceless artifacts. Such as, Nimrud, a city in the Assyrian kingdom, which flourished between 900 and 612 B.C.E.. It is significant because of the fact that, works and frescoes from Nimrud are celebrated around the world and their literature as well as sacred texts are revered. ISIS
Imagine that one piece of history that is taken from a town. This piece of history tells l people how this town was built and all the important people that were apart of the community. “Returning Antiquities to Their Countries of Origin” by Joyce Mortimer can many people about how objects are getting taken from Museums. They should be returned immediately. There are so many artifacts out there that could be so important to people, and if someone can just imagine what it would feel to have one of the most important object taken from a museum and to be never returned again. Many people enjoy seeing these objects so why are they being taken?
People go to see artifacts in museums for experience. What could be a better experience than going to the place they are from? Yes, the trip could cost a little more, but you cannot replicate the historical value an object holds in its origin country. The price is nothing compared to the true understanding of the history we gain from going out and visiting the place they should be. The place they should be is their home, where they were found and formed, their origin country.
If you ask the majority of citizens in the United States about their opinion on the validity of geography-based cultural heritage claims, chances are they will either look at you like you are crazy or dive into an explanation about the most recent show they saw on the history channel about the repatriation of the Kennewick Man. Like any other topic, a person’s scope of knowledge in regards to archaeology is limited to the material that they have been exposed to. In today’s society, the majority of this information is gleaned from popular media sources such as National Geographic, the History Channel, Wikipedia, and other mainstream “educational” resources. Although very popular, these resources often offer interpretations that sensationalize and misrepresent archaeological data. The media is the main conduit of educational information and therefore, has a societal obligation to accurately portray archaeological findings and data.
Duncan’s (1991) analysis of western museums is defined through the theme of “durable objects” as a criterion to judge the heritage of American and European art as a ritual of the modern state. In this manner western art museums are built like “temples” as a symbolic and figurative representation of greatness of western culture throughout the world: “[They] are more like the traditional ceremonial monuments that museum buildings often emulate—classical temples” (Duncan 90). This interpretation of American/European museums defines a dominant source of cultural heritage that ritualizes
What is an artifact? According to the dictionary, an artifact is “something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, especially an object of archaeological interest” ("The Definition of Artifact"). In archaeology, the word “artifact” defines an object recovered by archaeological attempt, which might have a cultural attention. In the same way, the article “The Life of An Artifact” written by Michael Shanks mainly discusses some of the key points of interpretive archaeology and the relations between social sciences and material culture. The author believes that material culture plays an active role in society, and that the society is built upon the presence of artifacts. He emphasizes that “artifacts
In a word, cultural heritage belongs to where it is created. Based on this precondition, cultural artifacts can be shared by all the human being only when its owner offers this on his own.
This week in my science class, Reading and Writing Science, we studied Archeology. Archeology is a field that requires the background information of history and the scientific methods of science. This profession, like most others, is very susceptible to the dangerous of human error. Through my own experience in class after viewing seven, foreign pictures, I have learnt that archeology has to do almost entirely with human observations and perspectives. After a body or an artifact is dug up, it is the job of archeologists to figure out as much as they can about the different objects. Because humans are not omnipotent creatures, sometimes they are wrong in their assumptions and conclusions on the history of these artifacts. After revisiting the pictures and being told the story and professional findings of each one, I too found there were errors in my observations; sometimes I omitted some artifacts and made unknown prejudice or cultural assumptions on the deceased individuals, which in turn caused me to interpret the evidence incorrectly.
SHA, and other archaeological societies, institutions, scholars and archaeologists find it hard to conduct or even to get involved in such shows that are produced for the entertaining of fans and also for gaining revenue. The Society for American Archaeology (SAA) is working on clearing-house project that will help in building public awareness about archaeology and the way it is practiced, therefore the project is seeking input from professionals and the interested public, in order to share and contribute information and
When it comes to the study of Archaeology in the media no character comes to mind like the whip-cracking, macho vigilante we all know and love. Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark has inspired a whole generation of explorers, historians and archaeologists alike but how much of his adventurous tales can we take as realistic? While most archaeologists are not out fighting the Nazis and reclaiming treasures as mystical as the Ark of the Covenant, the film does demonstrate several key aspects of an archaeologist’s career and lifestyle. Relations with locals is a very important aspect to a successful excavation as they can provide a great deal of information on the site and surrounding areas.
It is often a subject of controversy in the fields of historians to determine whether or not artefacts should be returned to their area of origin. The debate on this topic arises on two sides; one side agrees that countries deserve the right to possess artefacts in their museums which are a direct reflection of the history and heritage of the nation, whereas the other side argues two fundamental points, they adopt a “finder’s keepers” mentality by claiming that they were the first nation to discover the artefact, and research it, which in turn contributes to the preservation and integrity of the relic. Another point they argue is that the possession of artefacts brings about monetary gain through funding and influxes of tourists who wish to
However, such plans are important to museums fulfilling their roles as goods stewards of the cultural, artistic, historic and scientific resources they hold in trust for the public (Merritt, 2008). • When to evacuate? According to the handbook of the Emergency Evacuation of Heritage Collections of the UNESCO, the quick resolution to evacuate a threatened collection on of objects from a museum is significant one. If not thought out cautiously, a hastily executed move can expose worthy cultural objects to newer and unexpected threats.
...troversy as all countries have lost, to a great or lesser extent, treasures of national renown and significance over time. Wars, theft, treasure seeking, changing boundaries and migration have all in some way contributed to this diaspora of art. There is clear evidence that the historic placing of objects in locations remote from their origin has on occasion afforded protection and preservation, The Elgin Marbles in The British Museum being a case in point. However, given the overarching principle of self determination it is difficult to argue that serendipitous historic placement is sufficient reason for items of true national heritage to be kept indefinitely. A world-wide system of touring exhibitions and cultural exchange, with context being provided by the originating society may provide the natural progression to the accessible widening of people’s experiences.
In museological literature, the term ‘acquisition’ refers to the act of acquiring or receiving new objects to add to a museum’s existing collection. These objects can be obtained through various means, for instance they may be purchased, received as gifts or bequests, gained through processes of exchange or through archaeological fieldwork. Essentially, for an object to be acquired by a museum, title or legal ownership to that object must transfer from its current owner to the museum. An ‘acquisitions policy’ is a formal document that defines an institution’s strategy in acquiring objects. The adoption of an acquisitions policy not only ensures that objects are acquired in a consistent and systematic manner, but also makes it easier for
Museum defines as an institution housing collections of objects of artistic, historic, or scientific interest conserved and displayed for the educational and enjoyment of the public. Museums are places of memory that provides the link of distant past to the present generation which also help the society to know the path their forebears trod. The main purpose of museum is neither to educate nor entertain but rather creates a memory bank would remind us of the past. No wonder most societies in different parts of the world traced their origin through the works of arts history. There are many types of museum includes museum of Antiquities-in which are housed ancient pieces of furniture or objects of art such as sculptures, paintings, ceramics, textiles and other crafts. Public record office museum serving as collection centre for famous documents, War museum containing relics of national wars, Maritime museum for maritime history, museum for architecture, with types, structures and styles of building, etc., Museum for Local/Indigenous Technologies, Science Museum, with objects depicting history of science and engineering and Natural History Museum. However, all types of these have their own roles of information institutions in national development. The main roles are to identify, acquire, preserve, and exhibit unique, collectible, or representative objects. The role of museum in the life of a nation involves conducting research into the vast natural history heritage and biodiversity of the country, serving as a repository, of natural objects, source materials and taxonomists in that country, creating scientific awareness, on natural history resources of the nation through annotated exhibitions for public enlightenment in display ga...
Also some artifacts might have been left behind on purpose to represent culture. One reason why you shouldn’t take artifacts from where they lay is because they might have played a role in a major historical event and is used as a memorial. When something happens that could affect years to come so its left as a memorial so people could remember what has happen there and how it has affected us today. If they are taken and put into museums then people amy not know that they have happened or how important they are. I also believe that it would show that the past is important to what is happening now.