Lesson of the Day: ‘Decolonizing the Hunt for Dinosaurs and Other Fossils’


Lesson Overview

Featured Article: “Decolonizing the Hunt for Dinosaurs and Other Fossils” by Asher Elbein

The self-discipline of scientific paleontology — the research of fossils — started within the 18th century; nevertheless, it was rooted in colonialist networks that took pure wealth into imperial capitals, usually eradicating and by no means returning fossils and different artifacts to their nation of origin. Younger paleontologists at the moment are working to vary how paleontologists relate to the international locations and communities the place they work by turning into extra clear and inclusive.

In this lesson, you’ll be taught in regards to the work of a few of these younger paleontologists and think about the place you land within the debate in regards to the ethics of discipline analysis. Then you’ll determine what ought to occur to artifacts which have already been taken and are displayed in museums or universities.

Warm Up

Have you ever seen a fossil in a museum or photographed in a guide? What about different types of historic artwork or artifacts? Do you ever think about the place this stuff initially got here from or how they had been acquired?

A central theme in as we speak’s featured article is “colonialism” and its legacy in paleontology.

Define “colonialism” in your personal phrases utilizing a Frayer mannequin, a graphic organizer used for phrase evaluation. Be positive to incorporate:

The definition of “colonialism.”

The important traits of colonialism.

Examples of it now and all through historical past.

Non-examples of colonialism.

To full your mannequin, you are able to do your personal on-line search, use your background data, or learn and consider these sources:

What Is Colonialism? — Andrés Reséndez (30-second video from The Choices Program)

What Is Colonialism? — Jennifer Johnson (one-minute video from The Choices Program)

Colonialism, Explained (brief article from Teen Vogue)

Now, given your understanding of the time period “colonialism,” what do you assume the phrase “decolonize” means? What do you assume it means within the context of the article’s headline “Decolonizing the Hunt for Dinosaurs and Other Fossils”?

Questions for Writing and Discussion

Read the article, then reply the next questions:

1. What had been a number of the selections that Mohamad Bazzi, a doctoral pupil at Uppsala University in Sweden, made when he embarked upon his expedition to Tunisia? How was his course of completely different from the best way paleontological researchers beforehand labored?

2. What is one factor in regards to the historical past of scientific paleontology that you just discovered significantly fascinating or stunning? Why?

three. The article mentions international locations like Brazil and Argentina that fund paleontology analysis and require international researchers to work with native paleontologists. What do you concentrate on this method?

four. David Martill, a paleobiologist, stated he was in opposition to the requirement of collaboration with native researchers. Why? What is your response to his place?

5. Despite the prevalence of fossils in components of North Africa and the Levant, most fossils find yourself in museums in Europe or the United States. Why has this continued to occur even within the aftermath of colonialism?

6. What are some options mentioned within the article to make paleontology extra broadly accessible? Do you could have different concepts?

7. What are a number of the difficulties that extra inclusive paleontological networks are dealing with in establishing and advancing their work?

Going Further

Option 1: React to the Article.

Where do you stand within the debate on decolonizing paleontology? What do you assume are probably the most moral methods to method paleontology and different types of analysis that require excavating or interacting with pure sources or historic artifacts?

Here are two views from the article:

From David Martill, a paleobiologist on the University of Portsmouth in England:

“I don’t assume governments ought to dictate who works on fossils, I feel scientists ought to be capable of select who they work with.”

And from Mohamad Bazzi, a doctoral pupil at Uppsala University in Sweden:

“There’s a constant sample with these specimens of excessive scientific or aesthetic worth, the place they’re taken out of the creating world and shipped overseas to be displayed and proven to a wider viewers elsewhere. There ought to be some steadiness in order that native events have a say in what occurs to them.”

Do you agree with both of those views? Explain.

Choose one perspective that you don’t agree with and write a response explaining why you disagree, citing proof from the article.

Are there any views which are lacking on this debate? Do you assume that one thing ought to be thought-about otherwise?

Option 2: Should Museums Return Looted Artifacts to Their Countries of Origin?

The featured article focuses on the ethics of conducting analysis that requires excavation and collaboration with locals. However, many fossils and different artifacts have already been taken and are on show in museums and universities.

In a Student Opinion query, we requested youngsters to think about what ought to occur to these artifacts that had been stolen or taken by pressure throughout colonial rule. Do museums have a proper to maintain and show these objects? Or ought to they provide them again?

Read these 4 pupil feedback in response to the query: Should museums return looted artifacts to their international locations of origin?

Why is it honest that we get to maintain components of historical past that don’t belong to us? [Why] is it seemingly simply to steal one’s tradition and outright refuse to offer it again? Much of my era preaches for a society of equality, one for the betterment of all of the individuals on this world. If we wish that, we should begin by making an attempt to right the wrongs accomplished by our ancestors. — Mia

Although a historic relic that’s in a museum might belong to an indigenous group from one other continent, it ought to stay within the museum to assist educate the individuals who view the relic to raised perceive the actual indigenous group. By acquiring completely different tradition artifacts — like clothes or spiritual objects which are a typical merchandise throughout that point interval however could appear unusual to us — we will admire their tradition and join with them. Museums with these antiques comprise historic significance and have stored protected and safe whereas telling their tales to the general public. Furthermore, extra superior international locations have superior sources that are used to guard and protect these artifacts for future generations. — Elise

Why are our museums crammed to the brim with cherished artifacts stolen by their ancestors? It is obvious that many cultures are mourning the lack of these artifacts but Americans hoard them as a showcase merchandise, a trophy if you’ll. The indisputable fact that anybody has “to pay [their] cash to see what [was] … taken by pressure” from their nation is a reprehensible act as a result of this stuff are the embodiment of 1’s heritage and the act of claiming false possession is the same as setting hearth to a rustic’s tradition. Under the guise of paying homage to a dying tradition, we hoard these artifacts from their rightful homeowners. These objects have at all times belonged to their individuals and that’s the place they need to stay, not locked behind glass instances in a international land. — Kayla

I imagine that museums ought to hold these artifacts and never must return them to their international locations of origin. Museums are a vital and academic a part of the place that they’re situated due to what they’re there to do. The level of a museum is to coach and inform individuals and residents of what has occurred previously years of a international locations historical past and the way different international locations have affected the historical past of them. — Anthony

Then reply to 2 of the scholar feedback:

Choose one remark you agree with and clarify why.

Choose one pupil remark you disagree with and write a counterargument supported by proof from the featured article or your personal analysis.

Finally, inform us your opinion:

Do you assume museums ought to return objects that had been stolen, looted or taken with the specter of violence to their locations of origin? Why or why not?

If you don’t assume museums ought to return these objects, what do you assume they need to do with them? Should they label them as “stolen” as a part of the museum exhibit? Or ought to they not point out something about how they had been obtained?

About Lesson of the Day

Find all our Lessons of the Day on this column.
Teachers, watch our on-demand webinar to learn to use this characteristic in your classroom.