The World Archeological Congress Paper

Cross Cultural Perspectives: The World Archeological Congress Cleveland Ivery ETH/316 Version 2 09/15/2013 Ryan Busch

Throughout life, culture has been a definitive factor that individuals use to relate and connect to family, friends and their community. Culture can best be defined as the behaviors and beliefs of characteristics of a particular social, ethnic, or age group. Culture is dictated by religion, tradition, personal beliefs and an individual’s upbringing
Because there are so many different cultures, there are often cultural diversities that come into play with religion, business and relationships. The World Archeological Congress is a global organization that is faced with cultural diversities on a daily basis. The world Archeological Congress, or the WAC, is a non-profit organization and is the only representative of the world-wide body of practicing archaeologists. [WAC seeks to promote interest in the past in all countries, to encourage the development of regionally-based histories and to foster international academic interaction. Its aims are based on the need to recognize the historical and social roles as well as the political context of archaeology, and the need to make archaeological studies relevant to the wider community. http://www.worldarchaeologicalcongress.org/about-wac] The WAC is an international forum for discussion for anyone who is concerned with the study of the past. They have archeologists in many countries around the world finding information and artifacts from the past that shed light on how people of the past live as well as how they indulged in their culture.
The WAC believes that archeology should be looked at as a professional practice that is respectful and concerned about the ideals and beliefs of the culture in question. They also believe that the practice of archeology and the handling of human remains and artifacts should be done with concern, care and an inquisitive nature that is educational and isn’t for profit or financial gain. The WAC is an international organization that deals with many different countries and cultures on a global level. Their ethics and morals about conducting archeological field studies are profound and governed by regulations, but there are some that disagree with their ethical perspective. Egypt is one country and culture that is involved in The World Archeological Congress and believe that certain ancient sites and tombs should never be disturbed regardless of archeological perspectives that the WAC is governed by and uses. Egypt believes that some archeological sites are more sacred than others and should not be handled of disturbed at all. Syria is another country who’s culture does not agree with the ethics of the WAC. The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, is fighting for the protection and preservation