Case 2: Ethics of Archaeology These Old Bones

For a few hundred years, historians had a vague idea of how long Aboriginal people had lived in Australia. Estimations of a few thousand years were generally accepted, but then the discovery of one body, forever changed the way that we thought about Australian history. That body belonged to none other than Mungo Man.

This episode is designed to align with  Year 7 Ancient Overview or a Year 11 Ancient: Digging up the Past unit.

(Find transcript here) Link to transcript

Accompanying Resources can be found at my Amped Up Learning Store

Season One Cover Lesson Bundle

Reflection Questions

In what cases would it be acceptable to keep human remains in a museum, either on display or in storage?What should scientists do with human bones once they have studied them?Thinking about your own life, if someone dug up the bones of your ancestors, would you like them to be returned to where they come from, or would you prefer them to help scientists discover more about your past?Research the methods that scientists use to date bones.Explain the significance of the discovery of Mungo Man?

Contact: Twitter @HistoryDetect, Instagram @HistoryDetective9, email  [email protected]

All original music written and performed by Kelly Chase.