Cultural artefacts: a question of ownership

Equally as complex as the issue of human remains is that of sacred objects and other items of cultural significance which are held in museum collections. The issue is complicated by differing perceptions of the nature of the artefacts, and difficulties in defining terms such as 'sacred objects'; also by the conflict of interests amongst the parties involved which leads to complex definitions of ownership (Fourmile, 1990a; Welsh, 1992: 856-858).