| credits pbs.org |
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| credits Nova Online Page2 |
| Unquiet Mummies |
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| associated links |
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| credits pbs.org |
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| a s t r o n o m y w i t h t r u |
| a s t r o n o m y w i t h t r u |
| a s t r o n o m y w i t h t r u |
| a s t r o n o m y w i t h t r u |
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| Decay can be far easier to control than the political or social controversy that can arise over a mummy. The Siberian Ice Maiden's tomb was excavated by Russian archaeologists, and its mummy and artifacts shipped to a Russian city. But when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics faltered, its former member-states, including the Republic of Altay where the mummy was found, rose up with demands for, among other things, restitution of stolen objects such as the Siberian Ice Maiden. This was a thorny issue. The mummy had been taken for the sake of science. But what are the criteria for scientific ownership? A better lab? A more outspoken archeologist? Scientific clout? The people of the Altay maintain a strong connection with their ancestors. How does science balance with the respect due a people's heritage? What about this intangible: the respect we all owe to the obvious solemnity with which the mummy's tribe laid her to rest? |
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| Science |
| Transporting the Ice Maiden |
| Similar kinds of questions hold sway whenever a mummy is unearthed. Decay and controversy attended the removal and study of the Iceman and Inca children as well. The more recent the remains, the more controversial they are likely to be. Witness the contentious debate in the United States over the bones of Native Americans, both those uncovered in archeological sites and those already housed in museums. Many people would argue that the dead, whether recent or thousands of years old, should be left to rest in peace, undisturbed. But others would argue just as strenuously against the loss of knowledge and understanding of the past that would result in leaving such sites alone -- sites that artifact-seeking graverobbers might destroy anyway. One thing is clear: handling human remains is a tricky issue. |
| Mummified child sacrifice click on pic to see Frozen in Heaven |
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