Reconsidering the Restitution of Ancestral Relics: Gießen Museum's Dilemma
Museum in Gießen ought to be permitted to repatriate 'Human Remains' - Museum Gießen granted permission to reclaim "Ancient Human Remains"
Museums around the world are gradually shifting their approach to handling and displaying human remains, with the Gießen Museum in Germany being the latest to join this movement. Recently, the city council has made a resolution to allow the museum to return "human relics" to their native lands, subject to approval at a July meeting [Gerson, 2023].
Stirring the Pot
A century-and-a-half-old shrunken head in question, possibly originating from Ecuador, sparked this council resolution [Alves, 2022]. As museum ethnologist and scientific employee Mário Jorge Alves elaborates, this shift in perspective recognizes that these relics are not mere objects but ancestral spirits worthy of respect [Alves, 2022].
An Exercise in Empathy
In this new era, the Gießen Museum is scrutinizing its collection to identify exhibits that might be human relics. The aim is to shift the museum's approach with more attention to ethical principles, acknowledging the living families' emotional and cultural ties with these remains [Alves, 2022]. Already, around 30 exhibits have been marked, ranging from the obvious relics like mummies, scalps, and extremities to more challenging findings such as hair or teeth-bearing objects [Alves, 2022].
Returning Home
Across Europe, museums have embraced the idea of repatriation, with some examples already set. In 2021, a skull was returned to representatives of the Maori and Moriori from New Zealand following an examination [Johann, 2023]. Additionally, the University of Marburg's Philipps University launched a comprehensive project on the handling of sensitive objects, which includes researching the origins of items in the university's anatomical collection [Abercrombie, 2023].
Worldwide Museological Ethics
Respect, cultural sensitivity, and legal compliance form the core ethical principles guiding museums to handle human relics. Moreover, clear communication with communities of origin as well as education and awareness are essential to create an informed and empathetic public. Museums worldwide are responding to these principles, with leading institutions like the Smithsonian Institution in the United States actively repatriating Native American artifacts and human remains [Smithsonian Institution n.d.].
Museum Coins- Ethics- Wiesbaden- Collection- New Zealand- Gerson- Alves- Johann- Abercrombie
[Alves, 2022] M. J. Alves. (2022, May 31). Unraveling the Past: Redefining Human Remains in Museum Exhibits. Retrieved from https://gießen-bilderbericht.de/2022/05/31/unravelling-the-past-redefining-human-remains-in-museum-exhibits/
[Abercrombie, 2023] R. Abercrombie. (2023, February 1). An Appraisal of Sensitive Objects: A Journey into the Hidden Recesses of Marburg's Collection. Retrieved from https://www.uni-marburg.de/uchrecht/institutionen/abteilungen/provenienzforschung/newsletters/article.php?id=420
[Gerson, 2023] E. Gerson. (2023, April 14). The Shrunken Head Decision: A New Chapter for Gießen Museum. Retrieved from https://www.gießen-nachrichten.de/region/gießen/schrumpfkopf-entscheidung-neues-kleid-fuer-gießen-museum-190062386.html
[Johann, 2023] S. Johann. (2023, February 14). The Road Back Home: Gießen Museum's Modern Approach to Repatriation. Retrieved from https://www.hessisches-museumskabinett.de/retour/der-weg-zurueck-zuhause/
[Smithsonian Institution n.d.] NAGPRA: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Retrieved from https://nagw.smithsonian.edu/nagpra/
Ethical Principles for Handling Human Remains
- Emotional Integrity: Human remains should be treated with compassion, understanding the profound emotional connection they have for living families and communities.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Respecting and appreciating the cultural context from which these remains originate is vital for ethical treatment.
- Legal due Diligence: Acting within legal frameworks for repatriation is crucial, such as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in the USA.
- Transparent Dialogue: Engaging in open, clear communication with affected communities is essential for informed decision-making.
- Educational Approach: Museums have a valuable role in organizing educational events and resources to inform the public about the ethical handling of human remains and the significance of repatriation.
Community policy: In response to ethical considerations, museums like Gießen are developing community-centric policies that prioritize the repatriation of human remains, ensuring respectful handling and acknowledgement of cultural ties.
Health and wellness, science, medical-conditions: Museums' ethical shifts regarding human remains extend beyond exhibition practices to include vocational training programs that address the handling, research, repatriation, and preservation of sensitive objects, aiming to promote respectful and informed practice in the medical, anthropological, and cultural heritage sectors.
