The Paradox of Reinterpretation and Re-evaluation : Three Case Studies of Artefacts and Historical Discoveries in the Past, Present and Future

The aim of this thesis is to identify what actions of change museums have taken to adjust to the ebb and flow of societal norms and values. The empirical evidence is based on three case studies of objects in three museums: the Birka warrior from grave Bj-581 in the Swedish History Museum in Stockholm, the G’psgolox totem pole in the Museum of Ethnography in Stockholm, and the Benin bronzes in the Museum of Ethnography in Stockholm and the British Museum in London. Through observations of objects and exhibitions in combination with interviews with museum professionals and researchers, an overall picture is created that shows traces of regulation but also remaining attributes from older times. Through theories of structuration, authorized heritage discourse, norm critique and postcolonial ideas, we highlight the strong connections between social structures, social relations and authorized governing groups that exist in the process of disentangling. With this thesis, we intend to highlight how the phenomenon of change is portrayed and managed in museums. Museums in the west were foremost established during a time when nationalistic and colonial ideals characterized societal norms and the work that took place within museums. As a result of the preservation and presentation of the national identity, museums were often attributed with a character of identity making. Over time, the world has changed and so have the norms within society. Aspects of ethics and morals have become increasingly incorporated into discussions about power and governance. In line with these changes, museums have also had to change to stay relevant in their time. The museums hold to this day some of the old nationalistic and colonial ideals which they were built upon. The old ideals can be identified within the museums’ exhibitions, and because of this, clashes may occur between older and newer norms and values in the process of change, within which transparency becomes an important key element. This is a two year master's thesis in Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies