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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 6 page overview of the laws that have been implemented to protect Native American antiquities and human remains. The author traces the legislative effort from the 1906 Antiquities Act through the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, the the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, and the California Native American Graves and Repatriation Act of 2001. Bibliography lists 6 sources.
Page Count:
6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: AM2_PPnaGraves.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Too often in American history Native American cultures have not been
afforded the same respect that is considered a necessity with other cultures. Even their graves have been ploughed over and pilfered with no consideration of the fact that these
people too are human and have certain expectations regarding the sanctity of their remains. Thousands upon thousands of Native American grave sites have been disrupted over the years by
archaeologists and non-archaeologists alike. Sometimes the disruptions of Native American grave sites occurred in the name of science, sometimes they occurred in the name of greed. In many
cases the artifacts and remains from graves were put in the guardianship of museums, universities, and other organizations but even then there was a perceived indifference on the part of
those charged with housing the remains to the cultural importance of the artifacts and human remains. Fortunately, efforts have been underway to provide the same level of protection to
Native American grave sites that is commonly provided to other grave sites. The disregard for the varied cultures of the Native American that
has developed over time symbolizes "oppression and the pervasiveness of racist practices" (Bray, 1996). One of the first efforts to provide protection to the final resting sites of these
cultures was provided by the Antiquities Act of 1906. Passed by President Roosevelt, this Act still stands as a major accomplishment in protecting these sacred areas. Unfortunately, however,
the Antiquities Act provided protection only on federal lands. Remains that were on private lands were exempt from its provisions. It was obvious to many that much still
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