Prehistoric skeletons will stay at Avebury museum

Avebury 222

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megadread Apr 6, 2010 22:42:51

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/7986642.Prehistoric_skeletons_will_remain_at_Avebury_museum_say_bosses/

Well done EH.

Sanctuary Apr 7, 2010 08:51:52

Replying to megadread

I noticed that all the comments printed were FOR the decision. I'm sort of undecided either way but would ask what the reaction would be if this was a 'modern' skeleton with relatives still living? No way would this be allowed to happen of course. If the remains are to be used for research purposes like they say, then personally I would have thought they should be put away and given the respect they deserve until needed for that research rather than just as an attraction which is most certainly what they are at present and why they are to be retained.

tjj Apr 7, 2010 09:05:39

Replying to megadread

megadread wrote:

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/7986642.Prehistoric_skeletons_will_remain_at_Avebury_museum_say_bosses/

Well done EH.

I agree it is a 'no nonsense' decision and firmly addresses the precedent that making concessions in the Avebury museum case would have set. I think that in future excavations where burials are concerned archaeologists should be less quick to remove the 'ancient dead' from their resting place and take only a small section of bone for radio carbon dating. This is just a personal view and when you consider the millions of dead bodies that have found their way into the soil over millennia, does it really matter?