2nd September 2014, 01:23 PM
bomberh Wrote:Dear all, I'm an interested amateur and been reading up on some of the ethical issues surrounding human remains. What does the law currently say about human remains in archaeology? It all seems somewhat unclear and has changed recently. At a practical level would I be correct in saying that an exhumation licence is still required and that bodies must be reburied within 2 years (unless additional approvals are sought)? Is this correct? Is their guidance on how long must pass before a grave can be legitimately excavated for research purposes (i.e. obtaining a licence)?assuming your question is more than idle curiosity, please inform us as to the research questions you are hoping to answer by digging up human remains and are you capable of determining the burial context and whre do you intend disseminating the results?
If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers