Ancient Egyptian Medicine Curius Institutio a Curatio Vetustas "Mission and Ethical Statement"

Mission Statement

--Museums, and the institutions they are held within, are defined by their interpretation of the world around them. This interpretation is what distinguishes scholarly thought and instruction, and in some cases thereby establishing a generally accepted theory or thought process concerning a specific topic. As described by Michael Ames, information is a powerful tool that can be used to influence opinions and ideas, and thus deserves an enormous amount of respect (Ames, 149). The Institute of Medical Antiquity, in operating the Museum of Ancient Egyptian Medicine, takes that responsibility very seriously. In doing so, this museum has developed out of a culmination of thought incorporated from what the museum creator has recognized as acceptable and established scholarly thought. This institution does not claim to represent a democratic explanation of all scholarly questions, rather a collective understanding of the generally excepted theories, explanations, and descriptions of the exhibits held within, thereby establishing this institute as a credible research tool for the general public to utilize.

This museum is designed to serve a broad range of public interests. The American Association of Museums, in 1992, published a code of ethics, for museums, that stressed the importance of placing "public service and education at the center of the museum's mission" (Hein, 106). This idea is central to the mission of this museum. The information and exhibits within, are designed to be understood by any individual that wishes to explore the medical atmosphere of ancient Egypt. Further more, this institution does provide resources that will assist scholarly research and study. Museums serve as institutions to furnish healthy entertainment, to provide for instruction, and to provide for the promotion of research. The exhibits within this institute are intended to provide for those needs in a way that fosters an interest in and appreciation for ancient Egyptian medicine.

Finally, within this museum is a vast array of knowledge for you, the visitor, to indulge in. Michael Ames in "Cannibal Tours and Glass Boxes", describes museums as artifacts of society, in that they "provide windows on the other cultures of the world" (Ames, 15). This window is what I am striving to create. A window that opens a view into the past of the Egyptian world. By examining the contents of this museum and its exhibits, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of Egyptian medicine, as well as a fresh look at Egyptian life in ancient times.

Ethical Statement

--The museum operator and creator have an enormous responsibility to provide information that is accurate, credible, and free of bias, so that any visitor my be assured that the information they are viewing is reliable. In "The Museum in Transition", Hein describes how museum operators must "clearly understand the point where sound professional judgment ends, and personal bias begins (Hein, 96)." This understanding involves respecting the objects and cultures that are displayed and represented in a way that fully encompasses the meaning and significance of their existence. Without that respect, museums would be able to skew or distort the true meaning of objects in a way that would destroy the credibility of any institution that relies on authoritative credibility. The intellectual arena of the museum culture is strictly dependent on the activities and policies of each and every institution that claims to be part of that culture. Therefore, it is the responsibility of this institution to adhere to a strict and bias free code of ethics, when refrencing cultural/historical objects, their meaning, and their relation to the modern world.

--As an intellectual source of scholarly reflection and study, this institution will provide the most accurate and well documented thought on the medical wisdom of the ancient Egyptian world. The exhibits held within are a culmination of research and insight incorporated from and collaborated with various intellectual sources. These sources are verified through careful examination of their content, as well as through cross referencing with other, similar, intellectual sources.

---Objects obtained from internet sources are cited according to each site's copywrite description. This may include contacting the necessary individuals, within the respective institutions, in order to receive permission to utilize the resources that they own.

---Any object sited incorrectly or in violation of copywrite instruction is not intentional, and will be removed immediately upon notification.

---All objects are from sources that have been confirmed by cross-referencing to ensure credibility of authenticity.

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Mission & Ethics Statement

This museum is operated by Ryan Greiner at Creighton University

My address is rgreiner1@hotmail.com

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