15th February 2009, 05:35 PM
Evenin all...
Ethically, we should as a profession assess our treatment of Human remains-no argument there at all. One key point that seems to be missed is the very nature of planning-related development where Human remains are encountered. In this context, the "law" suggests that archaeologists should be the ones to carry out the work. In a nutshell, if we didn`t, either some muppet from a clearence company or, a construction industry labourer would do it with a JCB. Its that simple. Lets not hesitate to point out that the developers are seen in "law" as the polluters here. If we (as a society) want to impose a more ethics-based ideology when it comes to the disturbance of Human remains then really, the buck stops with planning authorities who allow schemes to go ahead or ultimately, central government themselves.
Archaeologists and the associated sciences are all to often seen as the ghouls when in fact, they are actually the only viable mitigation options available once planning permission has been given. I do feel however, that there is no justification whatsoever in disturbing Human remains when there is clearly no immediate threat to them. In context, I mean training excavations and research excavations. Simply, if there is no immediate threat to the remains, leave them alone. Excavation of Human remains should be seen as the last resort.If excavation is to go ahead, it should only do so with prior consultation with qualified osteologists and a full post-excavation analysis/publication and storage budget/plan in place.
With reference to another current thread, whilst it is essential that all citizens should have a say in the ethical treatment of said remains, do we (as practitioners and custodians) not have an obligation/duty to protect excavated Human remains from the fictional fantasies of some elements of society? :face-huh:
..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)
Ethically, we should as a profession assess our treatment of Human remains-no argument there at all. One key point that seems to be missed is the very nature of planning-related development where Human remains are encountered. In this context, the "law" suggests that archaeologists should be the ones to carry out the work. In a nutshell, if we didn`t, either some muppet from a clearence company or, a construction industry labourer would do it with a JCB. Its that simple. Lets not hesitate to point out that the developers are seen in "law" as the polluters here. If we (as a society) want to impose a more ethics-based ideology when it comes to the disturbance of Human remains then really, the buck stops with planning authorities who allow schemes to go ahead or ultimately, central government themselves.
Archaeologists and the associated sciences are all to often seen as the ghouls when in fact, they are actually the only viable mitigation options available once planning permission has been given. I do feel however, that there is no justification whatsoever in disturbing Human remains when there is clearly no immediate threat to them. In context, I mean training excavations and research excavations. Simply, if there is no immediate threat to the remains, leave them alone. Excavation of Human remains should be seen as the last resort.If excavation is to go ahead, it should only do so with prior consultation with qualified osteologists and a full post-excavation analysis/publication and storage budget/plan in place.
With reference to another current thread, whilst it is essential that all citizens should have a say in the ethical treatment of said remains, do we (as practitioners and custodians) not have an obligation/duty to protect excavated Human remains from the fictional fantasies of some elements of society? :face-huh:
..knowledge without action is insanity and action without knowledge is vanity..(imam ghazali,ayyuhal-walad)