Burials

[Aphrodite]

If it is in a grve yard you may haveto apply to the church of england but if it is over 100 years old it is ok
:face-stir:

C.Stowers

[eggbasket]

quote:Originally posted by drpeterwardle


To excavate in situ articulated burials with a machine is not the correct treatment. The BAJR code prevents me from commenting on the well known London example.

As for the second point what size bone do you remove. Again about to fall through fowl of the BAJR code. The realities of excavating a churchyard say are that there has been continual burial and reburial resulting in a lot of disrticulated bone. To remove all bone less than 10mm across means requiring huge quantities of soil to be removed. Should this be specified.

Peter

Peter,

I was actually thinking of an article in the Guardian from a few years ago, where they described a number of cemeteries that were bulldozed to make room for development. The article included a description of a woman who went to put flowers on her mother's grave only to find it in the back of a lorry, that has stayed with me.

With regard to the second point, if you think that removal of all bones less than 10mm across is important, and you are writing the specification, then you should stipulate this in your specification. Presumably you would consult with the relevant authorities first regarding the level of work required, but, if you think it necessary, then you should include it in the specification and monitor your subbies to make sure they comply.

Cheers,
Eggbasket

Preternatural eventuation is an amaranthine potentiality

[Aphrodite]

Very heart felt reply eggy
THANKYOU
Aphrodite
:face-stir:

C.Stowers

[achingknees]

quote:Originally posted by drpeterwardle

This subject is debated regularly on both BAJR and Britarch and I have to say I disagree with what is being said.

New guidelines have been published by the CofE and English Heritage earliet this year. Reading this comprehensive review of the situation is the first step.

In short - is it OK to excavate burials for research - rareley and only with some specific in mind.

Is it better that "human remains are removed in a methodical and respectful manner than some developer going through a graveyard with a JCB". This is actually a difficult question. Current thinking is that it is not worth while monitoring for example the insertion of shallow service trenches through grave yards.

Similarly if we are going to have to remove all human remains from a graveyard before it is disturbed how small to the bones have to be. 0.00001,.0001,0.001,0.01, .1 or 1m before they are disregarded.

The issues are complex.

Peter

1m long bones?!? - even Peter Crouch isn't that big!

JCB v archaeological recovery. Not a difficult question to me. I have witnessed the removal of graves with machinery. Not much respect in my eyes. Mass removal with a bucket, riddled for the long bones and crania, split into groups of skull + eight long bones (plus a sprinkling of bits), boxed up...

[Aphrodite]

I agree how would you like sum 1 digging you up in 100 yers or for that matter one of your dead relatives!!!![:0]

C.Stowers

[eggbasket]

quote:Originally posted by eggbasket
... you would consult with the relevant authorities ...

Bit if a daft statement here; of course they will be relevant. Can anyone think of a time when you would consult with the irrelevant authorities?

Cheers,
Eggbasket

Preternatural eventuation is an amaranthine potentiality

[Curator Kid]

quote:Can anyone think of a time when you would consult with the irrelevant authorities?

Er, how about being encouraged to use the C of E guidelines for excavating non-Christian burials...?}

[drpeterwardle]

Aphrodite

"If it is in a grve yard you may haveto apply to the church of england but if it is over 100 years old it is ok"

This is incorrect. It is not OK if burials are over 100 years. Details are available in the CofE guidlines - it is a complex situation.

Peter

[Aphrodite]

ok thanx for clearin me up on that one
:face-stir:
xxx

C.Stowers