Studying the Skeletons in the Closet Unprovenienced Archeological Collections in Museums

Abstract

Unprovenienced archaeological collections present a unique set of opportunities and challenges for museums. These collections are often from stolen, illegally excavated and/or illicitly transported sources, but can also be the result of improper recording, housing, and handling. Recent trends have relegated unprovenienced archaeological museum collections to storage, neither researched nor exhibited, because of their questionable source and perceived liabilities. The educational value of these types of collections warrants a closer look at the potential benefits and detriments of unprovenienced archaeological collections. This paper discusses the nature of unprovenienced archaeological collections in museums. It recognizes the challenges of researching unprovenienced archaeological collections and presents a framework through which these collections may be recontextualized. Demonstrating the type of information that can be learned about unprovenienced archaeological collections, this paper notes the issues faced in the publication and exhibition of these collections in museums.