Ethics in archaeobotany: identifying current issues and initiating a declaration of principles

Abstract

This article presents the first systematic assessment of ethical concerns specific to archaeobotanical research, focusing on principles and values. Conducted by an international group of archaeobotanists, the study used an anonymous online survey to document experiences and perceptions within the archaeobotanical community with the aim of raising awareness, identifying prevalent good practices and noting points for improvement. The questionnaire included ten thematic blocks and 63 main questions that covered regulations and guidelines, archaeobotany in excavations, funding, credit and authorship, intellectual property and right to access material, engagement with local communities, research obstacles, misconduct, ecological footprint, and dissemination of research results. We received responses from 114 participants, and the results highlight key challenges, including limited systematic recovery and study of plant remains, scarce funding, unclear decision-making authority, recurrent research misconduct, insufficient benefits for local communities, and low visibility of archaeobotanical research in dissemination and outreach. Building on these findings, we propose a declaration of principles tailored to archaeobotany, outlining the collective commitments of our community. This framework emphasizes safeguarding archaeological plant remains, ethical and rigorous research practices, and equitable participation. By adhering to these principles, archaeobotanists can promote scientific knowledge whilst fostering inclusivity, transparency, and respect for all individuals and communities involved or affected by our research. In this way, the initiative aims to strengthen archaeobotany as a discipline and cultivate a more ethical, inclusive, and collaborative research culture for both current and future generations of archaeobotanists.

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