Burial law is threatening archaeological research

[PeterM]

So, action required - we all take out the relevant bits of the academics letter to the press and useful supporting infor from (eg) Troll's post and send letters to the Sec of State - a few dozen letters from the broader population (even if we are all archaeologists) will add to the chances of getting any resolution in favour of a system that suits us.

[troll]

I post this in the full knowledge that I`m about to be slaughtered by some but nonetheless, this has to be said....

Long-term storage and curation of Human remains is a problem. Whilst there are a number of extremely good curators and associated systems out there, some systems are appalling. And some curators are being axed altogether. Human remains curated over the long and in some cases-the short term, can be missing completely, be boxed with other finds, have elements missing or have suffered post-ex damage. It`s not unusual for Human remains researchers to wait months and even years for a coherent response from some curators only to find that upon arrival at the storage facility that essential elements were loaned out years or decades ago and the curator has no record of where they went. Some museums have been guilty of gluing Human remains down onto display systems whereby completely reducing the efectiveness of further study. Of course, as professional curators are axed around the country and volunteers take their places, things are destined only to get far worse.

If any "new" system is to find a place in the current world of osteological endeavour- a complete rethink and re-assessment of the failings of the current system are in order. If we are going to exhume Human remains, we should only be doing so when those remains are at risk. If we are going to curate exhumed Human remains, then we need to be tightening controls.

[knapofhowar]

Some of you might be interested in Rescue's letter to Ken Clarke - see http://www.rescue-archaeology.org.uk/bet...chaeology/. Please feel free to use as a template for responses.

Cheers

[AcademiaTrowl]

Here is an appeal for action from the Mike Pitts, Mike Parker Pearson and Duncan Sayer with instructions, a back ground information sheet and a letter to Ken Clarke to follow up the 40 professors letter. This is an important statement by the archaeological community in protection of key resources and sends a clear message to the authorities about the unity and importance of the industry. It shows that archaeologists cannot be pushed around. If you want to make a stand about how important archaeology is in the UK here is your opportunity, I urge everyone to act as individuals, in groups and as organisations.ttp://www.deathandsociety.org/pages/events-detail.php?news_id=68

[kevin wooldridge]

[QUOTE=AcademiaTrowl; Here is an appeal for action from the Mike Pitts, Mike Parker Pearson and Duncan Sayer.../QUOTE]

I'm still not convinced that this theme alone is worthy of the collective strivings of so many. Shouldn't we be addressing the serious faults in the structure, funding and implementation of ALL archaeological research in the UK and not just the retention of a few ecofacts? Surely at best this is a side issue, at worst a smokescreen and untimely diversion from the real problems....

....How does anyone feel about a collective letter to all of the 40+ signatories of this appeal asking for their support in raising the subect of more pertinent issues with UK archaeology. I for one would be pretty pissed off, if I were a recent graduate from one of these institutes who found themself at present unemployed with little sign of future work. I might ask, for example, if my former professor is able to find time to campaign on behalf of archaeological material, could they also find time to campaign on behalf of a better deal for graduated students....

[Madweasels]

I would agree with Kevin - and if the Government resolves, favourably to archaeologists, this issue then it will be produced in the future, just as the PAS is now, as evidence that the Government is doing a lot for archaeology and archaeologists and the material that interests them. Skeletons and treasure - all we need now is a favourable policy for dinosaur remains then the Government will have covered everything that the public perceive archaeology to be.:face-stir:

[Jack]

Seems a bit of a negative response to an important issue and no reason at all not to support it. I've just posted my letter to the secretary of state.....

Just think of the impact it will make if all archaeologists posted such a letter....

The only thing that politicians fear is public opinion, such a response would make the powers that be stop and notice.

If they then saw concerted pressure to amend the localism bill to include archaeology........this might make them think again or even recognise we exist forging a path for more concerns to be heard.

If 'we' all sit back and moan, argue and fail to support such a fundamental issue that effects all archaeologists then 'we' will continue to be ignored.

--[arriving at Brian's crucifixion] Hello, Sibling Brian.
Brian: Thank God you've come, Reg.
Reg: Well, I think I should point out first, Brian, in all fairness, we are not, in fact, the rescue committee. However, I have been asked to read the following prepare statement on behalf of the movement. "We the People's Front of Judea, brackets, officials, end brackets, do hereby convey our sincere fraternal and sisterly greetings to you, Brian, on this, the occasion of your martyrdom. "
Brian: What?

[Madweasels]

Letter in today's (Wednesday) Guardian

http://is.gd/tIwYT0

Hmm. Wide of the mark eh? Either those Professors really ought to know their subject better or this is just another bit of patronising Tory-led twaddle. I know which one I would chose, but I guess many of the anti-academics on this forum would chose the former.

[AcademiaTrowl]

If you apply for a licence then it will stipulate that the remains should be reburied within 2 years whatever the intention of the condition was. The MoJ recently wrote to a Pagan group about their protests on the Stonehenge debate - there is a link on the www.deathandsociety.org information doc. The text of the letter can be read on that groups website http://www.eternalidol.com/?p=8211. In summery it indicates that the MoJ were granting an extension to the Stonehenge project and that the remains would be reburied afterwards, I quote from the letter "it is proposed that once the work has been completed the religious views of the Pagans and Druids will be respected and the remains reinterred".

Are they simply telling people what they want to hear, or are they genuinly dictating that the builders of stonehenge are not "important discoveries"?

I will leave that up to you to decide.

[mpoole]

.... it indicates that the MoJ were granting an extension to the Stonehenge project and that the remains would be reburied afterwards, I quote from the letter "it is proposed that once the work has been completed the religious views of the Pagans and Druids will be respected and the remains reinterred".
Are they simply telling people what they want to hear, or are they genuinly dictating that the builders of stonehenge are not "important discoveries"?
I will leave that up to you to decide.

I find it disturbing that the MoJ is giving the religious views of groups whose beliefs would not have been the same as the people whose remains are in dispute the right to decide what happens. It would be similar to a group of Catholic Copts deciding what to do with remains of pre-Christian Egyptian mummies. Right area, wrong religion.