Feature: British Archaeology 117, March / April 2011

In October last year, British Archaeology featured what it called “the human remains crisis” on its front cover. We regarded as a major problem the fact that all licences issued for the archaeological excavation of human remains now require the remains to be reburied, normally after two years (see Nov/Dec 2010, no 115). Despite considerable publicity for the topic, and a written response to the debate from the secretary of state for justice, there were no clear signs that the Ministry of Justice intended to change the way licensing regulations are enforced. Accordingly Duncan Sayer, Mike Pitts, Prof Mike Parker Pearson and 39 other leading British professors of archaeology have written to Kenneth Clarke expressing their concerns. This is the letter. Other archaeological organisations and individuals are also writing to Mr Clarke. You could add your voice by writing to him too, and read more online

The Right Honourable Kenneth Clarke QC MP
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
London SW1H 9AJ

Archaeological investigation of human remains

On 1 November you wrote about the archaeological investigation of human remains to Andrew Miller MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee for the House of Commons. You noted that you had received no formal representations against the implementation of the current licensing scheme, and that professional archaeologists had advised that the arrangements had given rise to no particular difficulties.

We wish to inform you that, to the contrary, these arrangements have caused deep and widespread concern. They are seen by many in the UK archaeology and heritage professions as unacceptable, and we believe they are not in the public or national interest.

We believe that the new licence conditions imposed since 2008 were adopted without proper consultation, and without appropriate consideration of the consequences of such a dramatic change. If such conditions continue to be applied, Britain risks losing its leading role in archaeological science, a decline that will be observed closely by an already mystified international scholarly community.

The excavation and study of human remains is highly regulated by professional ethics, and overseen by publicly agreed guidelines. This is a cultural practice not unique to this country, and one that has been much examined around the world. Your current requirement that all archaeologically excavated human remains should be reburied, whether after a standard period of two years or a further special extension, is contrary to fundamental principles of archaeological and scientific research and of museum practice.

Particularly for periods before written records, human remains are among the most important forms of evidence about our past. Archaeologists have been excavating and curating such remains for centuries, and they continue to be studied as scientific techniques develop and questions change. Such research can never be "completed". It contributes to the story of our past and the public’s understanding of the lives of the people who came before us; it helps put our own lives into perspective . Surveys show that 90% of the public approve of the curation of ancient human remains in museums: archaeologists do not undertake research in a vacuum but consult regularly with the public, study museum feedback and involve the public in fieldwork.

We wish to return to the simple , well-tried system practised up to 2008, which permitted the retention, study, curation and display of excavated remains as appropriate.

Archaeologists have written to the Lord Chancellor about the current requirement to rebury excavated human remains (previous pages). They have also raised another issue of concern, that licences for excavation of human remains demand fieldwork be screened from public view.

Burial law is designed to prevent offence when contemporary remains are exhumed. Most human remains uncovered by archaeologists are skeletal, sometimes not immediately recognisable for what they are. They range in age from a few centuries to hundreds of thousands of years. The people are of unknown relationship to anyone living, and there is normally no public health risk.

At excavations, a wide range of people share in exploring our nation's past. They are important places for the public to encounter science and history in their community, introducing children to hands-on research and encouraging adults to develop their interests. People visit excavations to watch the process, which will on occasion include the respectful excavation of skeletons.

Furthermore, people regularly see human remains in museums. They watch TV programmes in their millions where they can see human remains in their own living rooms.

Surveys by English Heritage (Science, May/Jun 2010, no 112) and others, including interviews with people visiting excavations (eg feature, May/Jun 2005, no 82), show an overwhelming public interest in human remains, and support for what archaeologists are doing. Archaeologists welcome such interest: outreach is an important part of archaeological work. But screens and barriers inhibit such activity, infringe on the public right to see what is happening in their community, and create mistrust and suspicion.

Archaeologists believe that at the point of excavation, it is wrong to create universal access restrictions. Instead, notices could be posted where human remains are present and individuals allowed to decide for themselves whether or not to view a site.

Dear Gemma and Mikey

In June last year, pupils from Oakington Church of England (aided) Primary School visited an archaeological excavation of an early Anglo-Saxon cemetery near their village in Cambridgeshire. The children wrote to the archaeologists about their experience, after being shown artefacts and human remains from the dig by Gemma Tully, Oxford Archaeology East (OAE), and Mike Tennant, a student at University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). The excavation is a continuing research and community project run by Duncan Sayer, UCLan, and Richard Mortimer of OAE in close collaboration with Oakington parish council. Currently special permission needs to be obtained from the Ministry of Justice if the public are to see human remains being excavated.

Annie's letter Arthur's letter Cathy's letter

Thank you for letting us come to have a look at the bones you found when you were doing the archeologcial dig. It was very interesting. I especially enjoyed looking at the children bodies like the teeth. I would like to be an Archiologist when I grown up. Thanks.

yours Sincerely
Annie

Thank you for talking to us about the archeological dig. I enjoyed all of it, and I especially enjoyed trying to gess what things were. My favourite thing was looking at the children's bones.

I didn't know until today that there is a bereal site in the rec.

Yours Sincerely
Arthur

Thank you for talking to us and showing us the Archeological dig.

I enjoyed looking at the artifacts and guessing what they were. I also enjoyed feeling the teeth and pottery. I found it very interesting seeing the trench and the boots.

I didn't know that Anglo-Saxons were buried with the things that were important to them.

Yours sincirly
Cathy

Emily's letter Jack's letter Jessica's letter

Thank you for taking us to see all the different things at the dig. It was very intresting because: We got to pass things round in a circle and look at them. I enjoyed it.

I particularly liked looking at the teeth. They were very dirty.

Yours
Sincerely
Emily

Thank you for soowing us you fins. I spesley liet The teef.

It was rely good. I realy lieat The caw toof.

Love from Jack

Thank you for all the information and you are very cind to let us all go to the dig and your especially cind for doing it for free and you oferd and we didn't ask.

You have made me want to be an archeologist, when I'm older because it's so interesting.

from
Jessica

Jonathan's letter Lola's letter Maddy's letter

Thank you for having us, it was very kind of you to let us see your things.

I enjoyed looking at your artifacts and seeing the dig.

Now I know all about Saxon burials.

yours Sincerly
Jonathan

Thank you very much for showing us the Archeological dig.

I loved all of it and liked looking at all of the bones. And I enjoyed looking at the babies teeth and the animal bones as well. I found it very interesting and learn some facts about the Anglo Saxons that I didn't know before. It was very kind and thank you.

Yours Sinercely
Lola

Thank you for letting us come and see the dig that you are doing on the rec. I enjoyed everything.

My favourite bit was when we had to guess what the oldest bit of pottery was. I also enjoyed the horse and cow teeth being past round.

I found the bit about the children's bones very interesting. Thank you very much for everything and thank you for the ice lollies you gave to brownies.

Yours sincerely,
Maddy

Issue 117

Mar / Apr 2011

Contents

news

on the web

requiem

my archaeology

spoilheap

letters

features

10 big questions archaeology must answer

THE BIG DIG: Winchester

Return to La Cotte

Dear Lord Chancellor

The one with archaeological evidence to support it

The Varmints Show

feature

Dear Lord Chancellor

Archaeological investigation of human remains

Dear Gemma and Mikey

CBA web:

British Archaeology

CBA Briefing

CBA homepage