Ethics and digital heritage

Abstract

This chapter uses literature review and experiences from the author’s Australian research to discuss ethical issues raised by using digital technologies in archaeology and cultural heritage practice. Technology use adds extra dimensions to principles already enshrined in professional codes of ethics such as professional standards and how to balance intellectual, cultural property and other rights against the public right to know (e.g. through open-access data policies). Additional ethical issues raised by technology include sustainability and digital preservation; the role of commercial and corporate interests in designing, developing and promoting particular products; professional and community engagement in the digital public sphere; equity of access to technology and content; and digital literacy and philosophical and sociopolitical questions about actuality and representation associated with digital heritage. The chapter briefly outlines key principles of archaeological codes of ethics and discusses technology use and digital heritage from the perspectives of political economy, technology design, cultural information standards, digital visualisation and virtual reality.