The ownership of the Taung skull and of other fossil hominids and the question of repatriation
Date
2005
Authors
Tobias, Phillip V.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BERNARD PRICE INSTITUTE FOR PALAEONTOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Abstract
The ownership of fossils, and for purposes of this paper I refer
to that of hominid fossils, was long assumed to be vested in the
individuals who made the discoveries. The author reviews here
a series of case histories with which he has had direct or indirect
personal contact, that illustrate claims for ownership. Some
have been explicit, some implicit. They are drawn from South
Africa, East Africa, North Africa, England, France, Germany,
Italy, Russia, the Netherlands, Indonesia and China. This historical
essay reviews the replacement of this practice by a policy
that fossils are not seen as personal property, but as part of the
heritage of the country of origin. During the colonial era, many
specimens were removed from former colonies to the ‘home
countries’, where they remained for decades, at least until the
subject territories attained their independence from the former
imperial powers. The new policy about ownership, in such
cases, entails the return (repatriation) of the expatriate fossils to
the source country. Examples of success stories and of tardy
responses are given. A policy for the future is set forth.