Research on illicit cultural artefacts

The case of the Babylonian mathematical cuneiform texts in the Schøyen Collection

Forfattere

  • Mehreen Sheikh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5617/pt.9258

Sammendrag

This paper examines whether we can have confidence in the scientific integrity of a research effort that could potentially be part of the illicit trade in cultural artefacts. As an example, I use the research on the ancient clay tablets from the Schøyen Collection. A closer study of the research product reveals questionable research practices, and the latter issue is then put into a wider context. After highlighting the importance of the research community as a social institution in shaping the norms and values of its members, and its influence on what is desirable research, I explore how these expectations and guidelines impact research conducted on illicit cultural artefacts.

Nedlastinger

Publisert

2021-12-10

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