Contract archaeology in South Africa: some ethical concerns

Abstract

While contract archaeology has played a significant role in South Africa, a number of ethical concerns have become evident over the years. How enabling are the legal frameworks to contract archaeologists? Whose interest are contract archaeologists serving? How well do they consult affected parties in their work? How well do they communicate their findings, with their colleagues and the public at large? What, if any, has been the role of contract archaeologists in the transformation of South African archaeology? How effective is the current accreditation system run by the Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists (ASAPA) for contract archaeology in ensuring that specialists operate within fields in which they are experienced? This paper addresses these concerns, focusing on the ethical elements relating to contract archaeology. The aim is to illustrate that while current legislation may have gone some way toward promoting the inclusion of previously excluded communities in the management of heritage resources membership of professional bodies by contract archaeologists still does not best enhance this. ASAPA's failure to ensure that all its members abide by its code of conduct is a cause for concern and it should take steps to improve this situation.

Si l'archéologie commerciale a joué un rôle important en Afrique du Sud, un nombre de préoccupations éthiques se sont présentées au fil des ans. Dans quelle mesure la législation offre-t-elle un appui aux archéologues commerciaux? De quels groupes les archéologues commerciaux servent-ils les intérêts? Dans quelle mesure consultent-ils les parties affectées dans leur travail? Est-ce qu'ils communiquent de manière adéquate leurs résultats aux collègues et au public? Quel a été le rôle des archéologues commerciaux dans la transformation de l'archéologie sud-africaine? Le système actuel d'accréditation pour l'archéologie commerciale, mené par l'Association of Southern African Professional Archaeologists (ASAPA) dans le but de garantir que les spécialistes opèrent dans les domaines où ils ont réellement de l'expertise, est-il efficace? Cet article examine ces préoccupations, se focalisant sur les questions éthiques relatives à l'archéologie commerciale. Le but ici est de démontrer que la législation actuelle a effectivement contribué à promouvoir l'inclusion de communautés autrefois exclues de la gestion du patrimoine, mais que l'adhésion des archéologues commerciaux à des organes professionnels est moins efficace sur ce point. L'ASAPA n'a pas su garantir que tous ses membres respectent son code déontologique, ce qui est une source d'inquiétude, et cette association se doit de prendre des mesures pour améliorer cet état de choses.

Keywords:

• contract archaeology
• ethics
• legal frameworks
• accreditation
• ASAPA

Notes on contributor

Ndukuyakhe Ndlovu obtained his PhD from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Archaeology in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Pretoria. He has over ten years’ experience in heritage management in South Africa, having worked for both national and provincial heritage authorities in various capacities and presently serving on the Boards of two heritage authorities. His research interests include southern African rock art, the transformation of South African archaeology and the management of Africa's rich cultural heritage.