English Heritage (EH) and the National Trust (NT) currently hold prehistoric remains excavated from sites in the area round Avebury (Wiltshire), in the Alexander Keiller Museum, Avebury, for research and display purposes.
In 2006, Paul Davies, Reburial Officer, Council of British Druid Orders (CoBDO), wrote on behalf of CoBDO to request the reburial of these remains.
As this raises sensitive issues, and would set a precedent, and as Avebury is a World Heritage Site, EH and the NT decided to use a process set out in recent guidance from DCMS to consider this request, and to consult widely at an appropriate point during this process.
The DCMS process expects those considering a request to consider evidence on a number of relevant issues. These include:
The status of those making the request and continuity with the remains
CoBDO is an organisation which represents some but not all Pagan groups. Its members claim genetic relationship with the human remains, but make no claim for continuity of belief, customs or language with the human remains.
EH and the NT comment that there is no reason to believe that the relationship of the members of CoBDO with the human remains is any closer than the relationship of most of the present population of Western Europe with the human remains.
The cultural, spiritual and religious significance of the remains
CoBDO believes that reburial of the remains is important to redress hurt to their ancestors and to the Druid community.
English Heritage and the National Trust respect this belief, but are very aware also of the cultural and spiritual significance of the remains to others as well, and of their contribution to appreciation and understanding of the past.
The scientific, educational and historic value of the remains
English Heritage and the National Trust believe that the remains are an important part of the archaeological record, providing understanding of our shared past which is of great interest to many people; the remains have already made an important contribution to archaeological research, and have the potential to make further important contributions.
Options
A number of options are suggested:
- reburial in a way which would make the remains unavailable for further examination
- reburial in a way which ensures that the remains are still available for future examination
- retention in the Museum in a way which shows respect for CoBDO’s beliefs (eg by providing access for ceremonies) where reasonably practicable
