In keeping with current Ministry of Justice guidelines, the British Association of Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology (BABAO) encourages the archiving rather than reburial of archaeological human remains, whether encountered in planned excavation or as a result of chance discovery. BABAO can provide professional assessments on the potential of collections in cases where reburial is considered, and guidance and support with regard to the deposition/curation of human remains in appropriate repositories that will help to ensure their retention for study to the benefit of present and future generations.
In relation to this issue we direct you to the recent Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums, which provides a framework for handling claims and evaluating the status of claimants.
Below are links to the results of some recent surveys regarding opinions on the excavation and treatment of human remains from archaeological contexts.
Survey of BABAO Members opinions 2008.
Research into Issues Surrounding Human Bones in Museums - independent survey of public opinion commisioned by English Heritage.
Life and Reburial in Cambridgeshire - survey of public opinion conducted by Cambridgeshire Archaeology.
A consultation carried out by The Church of England, English Heritage and the Ministry of Justice indicated a clear need for a single source of advice covering archaeological burials in England. These organisations have therefore taken a decision to form and support the Advisory Panel on the Archaeology of Burials in England (APABE). This panel will act as a unified source of advice covering all burials in England over 100 years old. APABE will succeed and replace an earlier panel, the Advisory Panel on the Archaeology of Christian Burials in England (APACBE), set up in 2005.
Below are links to some recent publications and communications relating to current repatriation and reburial issues:
Skeleton of “the Irish giant”: We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it - article in the BMJ by BABAO members in response to the Charles Byrne controversy, Jan 2012
"British Museums: the Druids are at the gates" -article by Tiffany Jenkins -director of the Institute of Ideas spikedonline.com Feb 2009
BABAO response to the consultation on the formation of a new Advisory panel on the Archaeology of Burials in England (APABE) Ancient bones could help combat TB The Observer June 2008
"Mummies are not museum 'Objects'" Armenian Egyptology Centre, Yerevan State University, June 2008
"Naked Mummies covered" The Telegraph May 2008
"Fury as museum bosses cover naked Egyptian mummies" The Mail on Sunday May 2008
"Museum surrenders vital clues to human evolution" The Times May 2007
"Gives us back our bones pagans tell museums" The Guardian Feb. 2007
BABAO response to the EH Avebury reburial consultation
Letter published in Museum Archaeologists News Summer 2007Letter published in Museums Journal July 2007
Press Statement issued by BABAO in response to NHM handover of Tasmanian Remains (May 2007)
"Ancestors of us all" article published in Museums Journal Jan. 2007
"Sending back of Aboriginal bones is loss to scientists" The Times Nov. 2006
"Bodies: Who wants to rebury old skeletons" British Archaeology 82, May/ June 2005