Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

From December 28 to 30, 1973, more than 1,200 archaeologist and philologists registered at the annual joint meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America and the American Philological Association held in St. Louis at the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel.

Five sessions were devoted to the reading of 93 papers, many of which will appear in abstracted form in The American Journal of Archaeology.  In addition, the days and evenings were filled with meetings of committees, school councils and special groups. On the evening of December 28th, William Hailey Willis delivered the Presidential Address, "The Lost World."  The following afternoon members of both societies visited the St. Louis Art Museum, where a reception was held in their honor.  That evening Professor James. B. Pritchard, president of the AIA, presented the ninth annual award for Distinguished Archaeological Achievement to Cordon Randolph Willey, who, as speaker of the evening, gave an illuminating paper entitled, "New World Prehistory." 

At their meeting the AIA Council passed two resolutions concerning the despoliation of archaeological sites.  Both were presented by Homer A. Thompson, chairman of the newly founded Committee for the Preservation of Archaeological Resources.  The first, dealing with museums and the acquisition of antiquities, closely follows a resolution passed by the American Association of Museums, the United States committee of the International Council of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, the College Art Association and the American Anthropological Association. 

"Recognizing that Museums, whatever be their specialty, have a communality of interest and concerns, which comes into particularly sharp focus in matters of ethics and professional behavior, and that they are the custodians of man's material heritage and of that part of his natural heritage which he has collected for study and transmission to future generations"; 

"Be it resolved that the Archaeological Institute of America cooperate fully with United States Government and foreign countries in their endeavors to preserve cultural property and its documentaries and the prevent illicit traffic in such cultural property." 

"The Archaeological Institute of america believes that Museums can henceforth best implement such cooperation by refusing to acquire through purchase, gift, or bequest cultural property exported subsequent to December 30, 1973 in violation of the laws obtaining in the countries of origin." 

" We further believe that the governing bodies, directors and curators of Museums should, in determining the propriety of acquiring cultural property, support and be guided by the policies of the Unesco Convention on the means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Export. Import and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property and the implementing provisions adopted the the signatory states." 

"It is recommended that all nations established effective export laws and develop proper controls over export so that illicit traffic may be stopped at its sources.  However, whenever possible, within the limits of national law, consideration should be given to legitimate and honorable means for the acquisition of cultural property.  It is hoped that nations will release for acquisition, long term loan, or exchange, cultural property of significance for the advancement of knowledge and for the benefit of all peoples."

"In order to augment and clarify further the intent of this resolution and determine methods of accomplishing its aims, the governing body of a museum should promulgate an appropriate acquisition policy statement commensurate with its by-laws and operational procedures, taking into consideration the International council of museums' recommendations on 'Ethics of Acquisition'."

The second resolution passed by the Council is as follows:

"Be it resolved that the Annual Meeting [of the Archaeological Institute of America] should not serve for the announcement or initial scholarly presentation of objects in conflict with the resolution on antiquities adopted by the AIA's Council in December 1970."

(ARCHAEOLOGY24[1971]165)