Archaeological ethics and the treatment of the dead

Focusing on the issue of ethics, and the question of the return and reburial of human remains and grave-goods, this paper examines archaeology's previous attitude of indifference to the wishes of outsiders and its current obligation to face up to resporsibility for its actions, both past and present. Compromises are rapidly being reached by many museums and institutions, but some areas of uncertainty are outlined that remain to be settled. It is argued that while not a vital discipline in itself, archaeology does have some noteworthy contributions to make to the good of humankind, and in particular it can serve to strengthen the cause of the very groups who are at present opposing some of its practices.