Unprovienienced archaeological collections in museums: A case study of the Baumgardner Collection

Date

2002-08

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

Unprovenienced archaeological collections present a unique set of opportunities and challenges for museums. Often stolen, illegally excavated, and/or illicitly transported, these are collections for which no origin-identifying documentation is known. While ethically and legally problematic, these collections, nonetheless, hold significant teaching potential for museums. The educational value of these types of collections warrants a closer look at the practice of ignoring potential benefits of unprovenienced archaeological collections.

The goal of this study was to illustrate the assets and liabilities of unprovenienced archaeological collections for museums, through three objectives. The first objective was a material culture examination of the Baumgardner Collection at the Museum of Texas Tech University. The second objective was a study of the ethical and legal considerations in museum acquisition of unprovenienced archaeological collections. The third objective was an assessment of the importance of unprovenienced archaeological collections for museums.

Description

Keywords

Texas Tech University. -- Museum. -- Art Division, Archaeological museums and collections -- Texas -- Lubbock, Material culture -- Mediterranean Region, Haynes M, Baumgardner

Citation