The Futures of Our Pasts: Ethical Implications of Collecting Antiquities in the Twenty-first Century

Ownership of the past--a concept invoking age-old struggles to possess and control ancient objects--is an essential theme in understanding our global cultural heritage. Beyond ownership, however, lies the need for stewardship: the responsibility of owners, possessors, and others interested in ancient objects to serve as custodians for the benefit of present and future generations.