Reburial of human remains from Avebury

[Oxbeast]

The British Council of Druid Orders has requested the reburial of human remains held in the Kellier Museum. EH/NT have invited comment.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/avebu...nsultation

There are sumbissions from a number of prehistorians as well as the BCDO.

[Paul Belford]

I request that the Italian government compensate me for the capture and enslavement of my ancestors in the first century, and return their remains to me!

I request that the French government compensate me for the slaughter of my ancestors on the field at the battle of Crecy, and return their remains to me!

I request that the German government compensate me for the forced migration of my Polish and Romanian ancestors in the 1930s!

Since I regard Trafalgar Square as a sacred site, indeed the focus of my religion of Paulo-Astrianism, I further request that the Government permits me to rebury my ancestral remains beneath Nelson's Column, which is on a ley-line of great significance stretching from Aberdeen to Timbuktu. I demand public money to hear my case, and to waste a lot of academic and other time debating it.



Edited to replace the word 'demand' with the word 'request', since a polite request is much more credible.

[oldgirl]

quote:Originally posted by Paul Belford

I request that the Italian government compensate me for the capture and enslavement of my ancestors in the first century, and return their remains to me!

I request that the French government compensate me for the slaughter of my ancestors on the field at the battle of Crecy, and return their remains to me!

I request that the German government compensate me for the forced migration of my Polish and Romanian ancestors in the 1930s!

Since I regard Trafalgar Square as a sacred site, indeed the focus of my religion of Paulo-Astrianism, I further request that the Government permits me to rebury my ancestral remains beneath Nelson's Column, which is on a ley-line of great significance stretching from Aberdeen to Timbuktu. I demand public money to hear my case, and to waste a lot of academic and other time debating it.



Edited to replace the word 'demand' with the word 'request', since a polite request is much more credible.

I'll back you on that!!

[gonetopot]

I believe the Romans had the right ideas about the Druids. They may have included the following:

-Big pointy stick
-Heavy blunt stick
-Short sharp sword
-Long ponted javelin
-Fire
-as many legionaries as could be invited to chase the devils across Wales/Cornwall and into the sea.

Just an idea you understand, but what with all these historical reenactment groups the potential for a repeat is just crying out, especially when they continue making such daft requests founded on their own twisted version of history. Rant over.

[RedEarth]

As an Fanatical Atheist I demand that, as there is no after life and nothing sacred in the entire world, all human remains should be recycled in the most suitable fashion and all relgious institutions converted into low-cost housing. I shall be working my way round all the museums in the world with a big sack.

As my non-religious beliefs are entirely made up I expect it will take about 70 years before anyone pays them any attention, at which point myself and my followers will be given the option of commenting on all sorts of things that don't really concern us.

On a serious note, I do think it's quite insulting to consider such requests in the same way musuems might consider those made by native Americans or Australian Aborignes.

[Unitof1]

Whats has it got to do with Eascist Heritage.
Isnt this all National Trust, dont they have an in perpetuity statute?

[Paul Belford]

Posted by oldgirl:

quote:I'll back you on that!!

Hooray! That means that Paulo-Astrianism now has a follower, which means I am becoming a religion.


Posted by RedEarth:

quote:On a serious note, I do think it's quite insulting to consider such requests in the same way musuems might consider those made by native Americans or Australian Aborignes.

Quite. Although in many cases in the US, due to 19th century displacements being fossilised in the modern reservation system, present-day native American populations in any given area may not be descended from the archaeological populations found in their territory. There is still, however, a world of difference between a broad native American continuity of belief systems - and an entirely made-up (post-Enlightenment) religion such as that of modern-day Druids.

[BAJR Host]

Paulo-Astrianism ... now thats something I can believe in... !

"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers

[trowelmonkey]

I need a cuppa, so I'm going to be cranky.

I am willing to concede neopaganism as a valid organised religion. It has a long enough pedigree by now for several generations to have been raised within its cultural construct. I am glad that by-in-large Neopagans feel the same way.

I am particularly outraged that CoBDO are basing their request on genetic grounds (as if the rest of the British population has no DNA connection). The "blood/DNA" argument has been used to so much pernicious effect over the past two centuries. How dare we presume how the deceased viewed belonging?

How will these Neo-druids feel better for burying this set of bones? It seems like group displacement activity for other chips on their shoulders (A bit like why people joined up with the fascisits in the '30's and before people scream I am NOT calling anyone a fascist, just commenting that feeling victimised and petty bullying walk hand-in-hand.) Their argument is far worse than the unthinking, kindly Christian reburial of ancient remains that used to go on. As to redress for truly ancient misdeeds: we're all descended from nice people and truly nast ones somewhere down the line.

Very bad precedent for archaeology. Seahenge was bad enough....

[vulpes]

quote:Seahenge was bad enough....

Presumably you mean unecessarily ripping it up and then sticking it in a shed in Peterborough for a few years? Pretty appaling fiasco, agreed.