The Influence of NAGPRA Abroad: Examples from Ecuador

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Ethical Dilemmas in the Study and Care of Human Remains beyond North America" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), essential for the ethical treatment of indigenous remains and cultural artifacts in the U.S., has had unintended consequences beyond its borders. This presentation examines the impact of NAGPRA's principles on archaeological and ethnographic research in Ecuador and on Ecuadorian collections abroad. In Ecuador, discussions around the excavation and repatriation of human remains involve diverse groups, including Afro-Ecuadorian grassroots movements, indigenous nationalities, and mestizo and montubio communities. Although no consensus exists on a single path forward, researchers have developed clear standards for engaging with communities in projects involving funerary contexts.

Despite varying degrees of success in documenting and repatriating human remains over the past 35 years, a troubling trend has emerged: Ecuadorian researchers are increasingly expected to conform to North American standards when accessing collections, planning exhibitions, or publishing on related topics. This issue extends to Ecuadorian collections in Europe, where standards of care and ownership are being shaped by NAGPRA, reflecting a form of intellectual colonialism that diverges from NAGPRA's original intent. This presentation explores these challenges and the broader implications of applying NAGPRA-like standards globally, where cultural and legal contexts differ significantly from those in the U.S.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• Ethical Dilemmas in the Study and Care of Human Remains beyond North America

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 52108