Archaeology, Bioethics, and Policies Regarding the Treatment of Ancient Human Remains in Venezuela

Abstract

While most countries have manifested interest in establishing agreements aimed at protecting burial sites and biocultural resources, the study of ancient human remains in Venezuela continues to suffer from a lack of awareness and forethought concerning ethically relevant issues and dilemmas regarding research, custody, storage, and repatriation. Yet, as many indigenous groups and other minority sectors are negotiating territorial claims and promoting cultural revitalization, a new phase in the development of bioanthropological research is on the horizon. Encouraged by a new Constitution supporting Venezuela’s multiethnic heritage, representatives of different sectors have been participating in the drafting of national codes dealing with human rights and bioethics. In this paper, we offer an historical synthesis of research on human remains recovered in archaeological contexts in Venezuela. The cases examined are intimately connected with past and present colonialist attitudes towards human vestiges that are often incompatible with indigenous viewpoints. We scrutinize how this divergence in outlook affects institutions, policies, and practices and discuss relevant questions on protection, informed consent, and the admissibility of scientific research.

Silvestre knows about some Piaroa Indians who were buried in the vicinity. He agreed to help me, through payment, of course, to find their skeletons…. We hid our collection in the bush near the bank [of the river], where we will take it with us tomorrow when we leave. In this way no one in the town will know, except the chief, the nature of our cargo

(Voyages dans L’Amerique du Sud, Crevaux 1883 (1988): 271, 280).