Reburial and Repatriation

The BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND
Osteoarchaeology (BABAO) exists to promote the study of the biological remains of past peoples. Although, in common with most of the UK academic community, we endorse the value of scientific research on human remains, we acknowledge that for contested remains, repatriation may sometimes be a more correct response than continued retention. In relation to this issue we support 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.

HUMAN REMAINS OPINION POLLS

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

APABE

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.

ARTICLES AND COMMUNICATIONS

Below are links to some recent publications and communications relating to current repatriation and reburial issues.

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

"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

BABAO response to the EH Avebury reburial consultation Letter published in Museum Archaeologists News Summer 2007

Letter published in Museums Journal July 2007