Academics claim reburial legislation is stifling archaeology
Archaeologists have expressed their concerns about legislation that requires human remains discovered in ancient settlements to be reburied within two years.
In a series of letters to justice secretary Ken Clarke, leading archaeology professors and members of RESCUE, The British Archaeological Trust, explain how the legislation is causing "severe damage to research and the advancement of knowledge".
The concern stems from changes to the conditions of licenses issued under the Burial Act of 1857 and the Disused Burial Grounds Act of 1981. Since 2008 new conditions have been introduced to the licences which seek to enforce the reburial of human remains discovered in England and Wales two years after excavation. This doesn't give scientists very much time to examine bones and other human remains. Nor does it allow the indefinite retention of human remains in museums, universities and other cultural or scientific institutions. Extensions can be granted in special cases, but remains still have to be reburied after the allocated time.
Before the 2008 changes, archaeologists were allowed to keep and study bones if they were old enough and of historical interest. When the changes were made, they were assured that it was only an interim measure, but so far there have been no revisions to the decision.
The legislation applies to any human remains uncovered at some 400 archaeological dig sites, including Stonehenge and Happisburgh in Norfolk....
Read entire article at Wired (UK)
In a series of letters to justice secretary Ken Clarke, leading archaeology professors and members of RESCUE, The British Archaeological Trust, explain how the legislation is causing "severe damage to research and the advancement of knowledge".
The concern stems from changes to the conditions of licenses issued under the Burial Act of 1857 and the Disused Burial Grounds Act of 1981. Since 2008 new conditions have been introduced to the licences which seek to enforce the reburial of human remains discovered in England and Wales two years after excavation. This doesn't give scientists very much time to examine bones and other human remains. Nor does it allow the indefinite retention of human remains in museums, universities and other cultural or scientific institutions. Extensions can be granted in special cases, but remains still have to be reburied after the allocated time.
Before the 2008 changes, archaeologists were allowed to keep and study bones if they were old enough and of historical interest. When the changes were made, they were assured that it was only an interim measure, but so far there have been no revisions to the decision.
The legislation applies to any human remains uncovered at some 400 archaeological dig sites, including Stonehenge and Happisburgh in Norfolk....