6. What are some solutions discussed in the article to make paleontology more widely accessible? Do you have other ideas?
7. What are some of the difficulties that more inclusive paleontological networks are facing in establishing and advancing their work?
Going Further
Option 1: React to the Article.
Where do you stand in the debate on decolonizing paleontology? What do you think are the most ethical ways to approach paleontology and other forms of research that require excavating or interacting with natural resources or historical artifacts?
Here are two perspectives from the article:
From David Martill, a paleobiologist at the University of Portsmouth in England:
“I do not think governments should dictate who works on fossils, I think scientists should be able to choose who they work with.”
And from Mohamad Bazzi, a doctoral student at Uppsala University in Sweden:
“There’s a consistent pattern with these specimens of high scientific or aesthetic value, where they’re taken out of the developing world and shipped abroad to be displayed and shown to a wider audience elsewhere. There should be some balance so that local parties have a say in what happens to them.”
Do you agree with either of these perspectives? Explain.
Choose one perspective that you do not agree with and write a response explaining why you disagree, citing evidence from the article.
Are there any perspectives that are missing in this debate? Do you think that something should be considered differently?
Option 2: Should Museums Return Looted Artifacts to Their Countries of Origin?
The featured article focuses on the ethics of conducting research that requires excavation and collaboration with locals. However, many fossils and other artifacts have already been taken and are on display in museums and universities.
In a Student Opinion question, we asked teenagers to consider what should happen to those artifacts that were stolen or taken by force during colonial rule. Do museums have a right to keep and display these objects? Or should they give them back?
Read these four student comments in response to the question: Should museums return looted artifacts to their countries of origin?
Why is it fair that we get to keep parts of history that don’t belong to us? [Why] is it seemingly just to steal one’s culture and outright refuse to give it back? Much of my generation preaches for a society of equality, one for the betterment of all the people in this world. If we want that, we must start by trying to correct the wrongs done by our ancestors. — Mia
Although a historical relic that is in a museum may belong to an indigenous group from another continent, it should remain in the museum to help educate the people who view the relic to better understand the particular indigenous group. By obtaining different culture artifacts — like clothing or religious objects that are a common item during that time period but may seem strange to us — we can appreciate their culture and connect with them. Museums with these antiques contain historical significance and have kept protected and secure while telling their stories to the public. Furthermore, more advanced countries have superior resources which are used to protect and preserve these artifacts for future generations. — Elise
Why are our museums filled to the brim with cherished artifacts stolen by their ancestors? It is clear that many cultures are mourning the loss of these artifacts yet Americans hoard them as a showcase item, a trophy if you will. The fact that anyone has “to pay [their] money to see what [was] … taken by force” from their country is a reprehensible act because these items are the embodiment of one’s heritage and the act of claiming false ownership is equal to setting fire to a country’s culture. Under the guise of paying homage to a dying culture, we hoard these artifacts from their rightful owners. These items have always belonged to their people and that’s where they should remain, not locked behind glass cases in a foreign land. — Kayla
I believe that museums should keep these artifacts and not have to return them to their countries of origin. Museums are a very important and educational part of the place that they are located because of what they are there to do. The point of a museum is to educate and inform people and citizens of what has happened in the past years of a countries history and how other countries have affected the history of them. — Anthony
Then respond to two of the student comments:
Choose one comment you agree with and explain why.
Choose one student comment you disagree with and write a counterargument supported by evidence from the featured article or your own research.
Finally, tell us your opinion:
Do you think museums should return objects that were stolen, looted or taken with the threat of violence to their places of origin? Why or why not?
If you do not think museums should return these objects, what do you think they should do with them? Should they label them as “stolen” as part of the museum exhibit? Or should they not mention anything about how they were obtained?
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