Table of Contents: Definition – Acquisition
“Acquisition”
Pronunciation: /ˌækwɪˈzɪʃən/ (ak-wih-ZISH-un)
Part of Speech: Noun
Acquisition Definition (Historical Context)
Acquisition is the act of obtaining physical possession of an item for a collection. Museums use several means of acquisition, including purchase, gift, exchange, or field collection. It is the initial step in the collections management process. Acquisition is separate from accession, which is the final, legal step of formal acceptance. The museum must decide whether to accept or reject a received item.
Origin of the Word “Acquisition”
The word comes from the Latin verb acquirere. This means “to acquire,” “to gain,” or “to get in addition.” It is derived from ad- (to) and quaerere (to seek). The modern use emphasizes the active seeking or receiving of property.
Examples:
General Use: “In addition, the museum announced the successful acquisition of the Ming Dynasty scroll.”
Fieldwork Context: “Similarly, the team completed the acquisition of several large rock samples during the geological survey.”
Curatorial Context: “Consequently, the object is placed in temporary storage following its initial acquisition until accession.”
Legal Context: “Moreover, the curator reviewed the purchase agreement to verify the legality of the acquisition.”
Vocabulary and Language Resources
Terms Related to Acquisition
- Accession: The formal, legal and permanent addition of an object to a collection, for example.
- Deaccession: The formal removal of an item from the permanent collection.
- Gift/Donation: The transfer of an item without financial payment.
- Purchase: The procurement of an item through monetary transaction.
- Field Collection: The gathering of objects directly from an archaeological site.
- Loan: A temporary transfer of an item, not considered an acquisition.
Etymology
From Latin acquisitio (a getting in addition), from acquirere (to obtain).
Synonyms
Procurement, collection, obtaining, receipt, garnering, purchasing.
Antonyms:
Disposal, divestment, relinquishment, deaccession, donation (from the museum).
Thesaurus
Gain, take, capture, attainment, recovery, haul, procurement.
Acquisition Historical & Cultural Context:
The practice of acquisition has evolved significantly since the early days of collecting. Early collections relied heavily on exploration and often controversial means. Today, ethical guidelines strictly control the museum acquisition process. Institutions must now rigorously prove an item’s legal and ethical provenance before acceptance. These modern policies ensure museums do not encourage the looting or illicit trade of cultural property.
Principles or Key Aspects of Acquisition:
- Ethical Review: New objects must be screened for clear title and legal means of transfer.
- Documentation: The institution must record the date, source, and method of possession.
- Initial Assessment: Staff check the physical condition and relevance to the collection’s mission.
- Temporary Storage: Items are usually placed here pending final review and accession.
- Financial Commitment: Purchases involve funding allocation and formal contracts, for example.
Ethical Considerations for Acquisition:
- Looting: Museums must refuse acquisition of any artifact suspected of having been illegally excavated.
- Repatriation: The process includes checking if the item should be returned to its country of origin.
- Transparency: Institutions should document and publish their acquisition policies clearly.
- Conflict of Interest: Curators must not acquire items from dealers in whom they have a financial stake.
Relevance to Ancient Worlds
Acquisition is crucial for understanding ancient worlds because it:
- Builds Collections: It is the necessary mechanism for adding ancient artifacts to public display.
- Preserves Context: Field acquisition often includes detailed documentation of the artifact’s find location.
- Funds Research: Purchase funds can sometimes support legitimate, ongoing archaeological excavations.
- Fights Illicit Trade: Ethical acquisition policies are the strongest institutional defense against illegal artifact sales.
- Informs Scholarship: New acquisitions often lead to new research and public exhibitions of ancient history.
