Global Ancestors is a collection of papers which reflect on modern museological responses to the often complex and emotive relationship that people have with the ancestors and objects which they created. Set out in three broad themes, the first collection of papers explore how indigenous peoples are represented in museums in Panama and China and how more can be gained by working with indigenous communities to further our understanding of the ancestors. The second section examines changes in British and American museological thinking regarding the repatriation of human remains and objects to indigenous peoples, focusing in particular on the impact of legislation on western institutions and the expectations of indigenous communities and alternative religious groups. These issues are explored through case studies involving material from the British Museum and Glasgow Museum. The final section explores the ways in which archaeologists and indigenous communities interact. These chapters illustrate, through case studies from South Africa, Finland and Canada, how both groups have worked together for their mutual benefit or to change the majority viewpoint.

Global Ancestors represents the beginnings of a more inclusive and shared understanding between different constituencies and points the way forward to a time when we can consider the ancestors truly 'global'.

About the Author
Jelena Bekvalac is a Curator of Human Osteology at the Centre for Human Bioarchaeology, Museum of London. She has worked at the museum since 2003 and has research interests in the bioarchaeology of the medieval and post medieval periods.

Reviews
'Fellows Rebecca Redfern and Jelena Bekvalac have joined forces with colleagues from the Natural History Museum to publish a collection of papers reflecting on modern museological responses to the often complex and emotive relationship that people have with the ancestors and objects which they created.' SALON - The Society of Antiquaries Online Newsletter



Book Information
ISBN 9781842175330
Author Rebecca Redfern
Format Paperback
Page Count 168
Imprint Oxbow Books
Publisher Oxbow Books