Proceedings of the International Academic Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Archaeology As A Science – Better Resources Of Our Past Education And Culture
Dr. Varija Vudhayaraju, Associate Professor
ABSTRACT:
The modern knowledge-based society has assumed an unquestionably momentous position and in this society in which higher and technical education has been making enormous contribution in keeping pace with various current innovations and technological advances. Indian archaeologists and anthropologists are required by the ethical standards of their professional associations as well as by the established protocols of government agencies to work with indigenous communities as an integral part of their research, and thus they are in intimate and prolonged contact with Aboriginals. I argue here that it is an almost unconscious reaction to seek social justice when working closely with indigenous communities that have been demonstrably disadvantaged through historical processes. Archaeologists and anthropologists have often sought to balance their work through interdisciplinary perspectives. What is required is a process that both fulfils the requirements of the research project and meets the needs of the indigenous communities, without the outcomes being inadvertently influenced by a social justice agenda. There are instances in which the recommendations of expert heritage specialists, when put to the test, have fallen short, leading to the destruction of heritage resources. Heritage conservation specialists must take steps to ensure that their involvement with stakeholders will not lead to outcomes that jeopardize heritage resources while delivering highly sensitive research results.
keywords: Archaeology, Anthropology, Aboriginal, Heritage Conservation, Indigenous