Stealing Culture: Digital Repatriation (A Case Study)
University Museums and Collections Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2020: 77–83.
7 Pages Posted: 17 Mar 2021
Date Written: 2020
Abstract
Across the globe, an intense debate has formed around repatriation of cultural artifacts from essentially Western museums and collectors. At the extremes, the dialogue surrounds whether these artifacts should be returned to their locations of origin or retained by those that currently possess the artifacts. Between the extremes is a discussion about whether artifacts could and should be digitally copied, placing one version of the artifact within the possession of the originating location and another version outside. This case study uses cultural artifacts to analyse the relationship between an American university museum and the peoples of Rapa Nui.
Keywords: university museums, law, repatriation, digital, indigenous
JEL Classification: K00, K49, I23, J78, O30
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation