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

See all articles by Nicole Crawford

Nicole Crawford

University of Wyoming Art Museum

Darrell Jackson

University of Wyoming - College of Law

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

Crawford, Nicole and Jackson, Darrell, Stealing Culture: Digital Repatriation (A Case Study) (2020). University Museums and Collections Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2020: 77–83., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3754667

Nicole Crawford (Contact Author)

University of Wyoming Art Museum ( email )

1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3807
Laramie, WY 82070
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum/about_us/faculty-and-staff/nicole-crawford.html

Darrell Jackson

University of Wyoming - College of Law ( email )

1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3035
Laramie, WY 82071
United States
(307) 766-2899 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.uwyo.edu/law/directory/darrell-jackson.html

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