Onderdeel van een ruïne van een rotswoning in Mesa Verde National Park before 1893

This photograph of a ruin in Mesa Verde National Park was taken by Gustaf Nordenskiöld in the late 19th century. Nordenskiöld was a Swedish scientist whose research contributed to the understanding of pre-Columbian history. His study of the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde occurred during a period of intense archaeological exploration in the American Southwest. These expeditions often lacked ethical considerations, leading to the looting of Indigenous cultural heritage. Nordenskiöld, like many of his contemporaries, removed artifacts from the site, which are now housed in the National Museum of Finland. Consider how the photograph encapsulates a moment of cultural encounter and the complex legacy of archaeological practices. Nordenskiöld's photograph serves as both a historical document and a reminder of the need for ethical engagement with cultural heritage. It invites reflection on the power dynamics inherent in the act of studying and representing other cultures.