A CONSIDERATION OF ETHICAL ISSUES IN
ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY

By
KOLA ADEKOLA
Department of Archaeology and Anthropology

University of Ibadan
E mail: [email protected]

Introduction

Archaeology is unique amongst all disciplines in that its data are non-
renewable. Once the archaeological data is destroyed, the information

that can be derived from such data is lost.
As a result of this, professional bodies such as the Society for
American Archaeology (SAA); Archaeological Institute of America
(AIA); European Association of Archaeologists (EAA); Australian
Archaeological Association (AAA) and Society of Professional
Archaeologists (SOPA) which was founded in 1978 in America and
Archaeological Association of Nigeria have since their formation
concerned themselves with the need for a minimal level of expertise in
various areas of archaeological research. Not only this, the associations
aim at promulgating code of ethics for American, European and
Australian archaeologists. This function is a main concern of the World
Archaeological Congress at the global level. In many instances, the
tenets of the codes are applicable at all regions Nigeria inclusive.
In this paper, we are interested in examining amongst other things, the
professional responsibilities of archaeologists and anthropologists.