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part of the exhibit
May. 19th, 2022 06:52 pmthere was a post from an archaeology page on thefacebook talking about a Roman-Egyptian sarcophagus from around the 2nd century CE, with an included wax encaustic portrait and all the trim in I think a North Carolina museum.
After reading it, I had a thought about the controversy and ethical questions about keeping dead bodies in museum exhibits/settings and if it's appropriate or considerate/respectful etc etc.
While I realize more of the controversy (and rightfully so) leans towards American indigenous people/remains and hinged on the rather horrific and disgusting nature of museum/archaeology/collectors/ethnographic issues from the 18th through early 20th century
on a similar note, i do admit I sometimes feel awkward being in museums (ie the MFA) with mummies/bodies on display, etc.
But at the same time, I had a thought after getting past all of that.....When I'm long and dead, I dunno, maybe spending eternity in a museum setting surrounded by beautiful and incredible artifacts doesn't really sound all that terrible.
(I mean other than the fact that I'd be dead and there'd be no way I'd be able to actually "enjoy" or "see" those objects)
but hear me out. the fact that we, 2000+ years later, are absolutely enthralled and fascinated and adore these....bodies...and their containers, and do everything we can to maintain and conserve them, as well as use them to educate the living, etc etc. I dunno, it doesn't sound like such a terrible fate.
(don't get me wrong, as mentioned, the horror-shit-show that wasn't all that long ago of digging up and practically destroying indigenous burials for the sake of doing it, etc etc, is abhorrent. I often wonder/have conflicting thoughts about how in Egypt they are still excavating primarily with outdated and somewhat disrespectful methods, but at the same time they're frantically trying to excavate and pull out as much artifacts as possible before it all deteriorates and/or is otherwise destroyed with Modernity onslaught. I do also have a lot of reservations and concerns with the way the whole thing goes and how conservation always takes a back seat to modern "progress" and there's always plenty of time/room for regrets and sorrow for destroying the past, and never enough time/money/energy/ethical chutzpa to actually preserve things and tell modern development to get lost, but I yammer on)
After reading it, I had a thought about the controversy and ethical questions about keeping dead bodies in museum exhibits/settings and if it's appropriate or considerate/respectful etc etc.
While I realize more of the controversy (and rightfully so) leans towards American indigenous people/remains and hinged on the rather horrific and disgusting nature of museum/archaeology/collectors/ethnographic issues from the 18th through early 20th century
on a similar note, i do admit I sometimes feel awkward being in museums (ie the MFA) with mummies/bodies on display, etc.
But at the same time, I had a thought after getting past all of that.....When I'm long and dead, I dunno, maybe spending eternity in a museum setting surrounded by beautiful and incredible artifacts doesn't really sound all that terrible.
(I mean other than the fact that I'd be dead and there'd be no way I'd be able to actually "enjoy" or "see" those objects)
but hear me out. the fact that we, 2000+ years later, are absolutely enthralled and fascinated and adore these....bodies...and their containers, and do everything we can to maintain and conserve them, as well as use them to educate the living, etc etc. I dunno, it doesn't sound like such a terrible fate.
(don't get me wrong, as mentioned, the horror-shit-show that wasn't all that long ago of digging up and practically destroying indigenous burials for the sake of doing it, etc etc, is abhorrent. I often wonder/have conflicting thoughts about how in Egypt they are still excavating primarily with outdated and somewhat disrespectful methods, but at the same time they're frantically trying to excavate and pull out as much artifacts as possible before it all deteriorates and/or is otherwise destroyed with Modernity onslaught. I do also have a lot of reservations and concerns with the way the whole thing goes and how conservation always takes a back seat to modern "progress" and there's always plenty of time/room for regrets and sorrow for destroying the past, and never enough time/money/energy/ethical chutzpa to actually preserve things and tell modern development to get lost, but I yammer on)
