The United Kingdom has agreed to negotiate the possible relocation of the Kabwe skull. If the move occurs, it would be a triumph for repatriation efforts.
North Sentinel Island and the Right to Be Left AloneOne political anthropologist considers whether a “no-contact” approach to remote Indigenous peoples may—in the long run—lead to unforeseen risks.
The Skeletons in the Museum ClosetCan natural history museums justify their collections of human remains?
Confronting the Specter of Cultural AppropriationFrom Halloween costumes to haute couture, ethnic foods to movies, the danger of appropriating another culture seems to be everywhere. How do we weigh the difference between celebrating and stealing someone else’s culture?
Why Envy Might Be Good for UsNamibian hunter-gatherers deride those who stand out. What does this tell us about why, and how, we care about fairness?
Islamic Law Is Alive and Well in the U.S.Americans often react to the idea of Sharia with horror and repugnance. That isn’t warranted.
Are Religious People More Moral?Cultures around the world share the belief that atheists lack morality. The evidence, however, tells a different story.
Learning to Trust Machines That LearnWhat can studies of human relationships tell us about whether or not we should trust artificial intelligence?
Confronting Cultural Imperialism in Native American ArchaeologyThe ethical, legal, and research-oriented tools of archaeology can encourage Native American self-determination rather than undermine it.
Hobby Lobby’s Antiquities TroubleThe president of the arts and crafts company purchased thousands of antiquities from Iraq for his family’s museum—but he could have met his goals without running afoul of the Department of Justice.
