Honouring the Ancient Dead | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

moss Dec 9, 2008 07:14:51

I was not quite sure whether to put this subject on TMA but on reflection as everyone is interested in the old stones perhaps a 'serious' interest in what happens to the bones that have come from these barrows and circles and now reside in museums and archaeological storehouses is a topical subject.
Reburial of bones is attracting a wide range of opinions on the subject, and there is a public consultation going on at English Heritage at the moment.
One essay that seems to cover the matter in a moderate manner has been written by Yvonne Aburrow , an excellent overview of a difficult subject. "Finding a Compromise - Keeping Places"

http://www.honour.org.uk ./node/64

I know 'sacred space' and 'pagans' do excite some uncalled for comments on the subject, but the main argument here is respect for the dead and what should the archaeologists be doing with the bones they have accumulated over the years - there are many sides to the question of reburial of bones - modern religious or ritual elements need'nt be dwelt upon in a secular argument ;)

FourWinds Dec 9, 2008 08:00:15

Replying to moss

I struggle with this one myself. I do know that the way some remains are treated in a manner I never want to be treated in. However, I personally don't mind the thought of my remains improving scientific knowledge in some way. Presumably, this is a concept that would have been totally foreign to people in early times, so that argument can't be used for them.

I think reburial with any sort of ritual is probably going to be as insulting to the 'spirit' of the person as being dug up in the first place.

Laying them to rest in a dignified manner may be the answer, but I'm a great believer in once you're dead you're dead. I don't need to have a spirit world to look forward to. Do what you want with me when I'm gone as long as it doesn't upset those I leave behind.

nigelswift Dec 9, 2008 08:49:28

Replying to moss

Of course, while respect for the dead in, say, Avebury, is a horrendously complicated issue, it's actually vastly more complicated as any decisions there resonate everywhere there are dead bodies - the British Museum, full of them and struggling with repatriation requests from all over the world.... medical research faculties.... relatively recent burial grounds in the path of new roads...

I don't envy EH it trying to make a decision.