Since at least the 1970's, there's been a trend towards the current "Archaeological Ethics, Principle No. 1: Stewardship - The archaeological record, that is, in situ archaeological material and sites, archaeological collections, records and reports, is irreplaceable. It is the responsibility of all archaeologists to work for the long-term conservation and protection of the archaeological record by practicing and promoting stewardship of the archaeological record."
And the mantra "excavation is destruction". As non-invasive archaeology advances, and technology progress in general accelerates, the range of plausibly ethical excavation seems to narrow. Towards a limit of rescue-only. Of sites threatened by whatever - looting, construction, climate change.
Or here, by surprised archaeologists. A perhaps overly-aggressive excavation for large artifacts, seems to have become a challenge of molecular archaeology rescue. And there seems no awareness of that change. Just happiness at finding well-preserved curios.
And the mantra "excavation is destruction". As non-invasive archaeology advances, and technology progress in general accelerates, the range of plausibly ethical excavation seems to narrow. Towards a limit of rescue-only. Of sites threatened by whatever - looting, construction, climate change.
Or here, by surprised archaeologists. A perhaps overly-aggressive excavation for large artifacts, seems to have become a challenge of molecular archaeology rescue. And there seems no awareness of that change. Just happiness at finding well-preserved curios.