Honouring the Ancient Dead Symposium 2011

After the Exhumation: Ancient Human Remains Reburied
Saturday 15 October 2011
Leeds City Museum

A one day symposium that will examine the position of human remains in museums and archaeological units, posing questions on the future of human remains in storerooms with regards to reburial.

The day will comprise a variety of short papers presented in a panel style with the intention of stimulating thoughtful debate on the issue of the storage of human remains and reburial. The presentations will focus the issue of reburial, discussing particular case studies and their various successes and obstacles, covering:

• issues surrounding ‘iconic’ remains as opposed to ‘faceless’ and undocumented remains;
• different cultural and religious perspectives and experiences of human remains, and associated definitions of respect;
• exploration of ways to ensure that multiple voices are included and heard in decision-making about human remains.

This event is intended to be the first in a series, the second will be held in October 2012, possibly also in Leeds.  It will be entitled  “After The Exhumation : Ancient Human Remains On Display”.

Papers will be published on the Honouring the Ancient Dead website following the event. Ticket price is £15 for the day. Spaces are expected to be limited so check availability before travelling.

Honouring the Ancient Dead
Frustrated by Government guidelines regarding human remains that require proof of cultural, spiritual and religious significance of the remains, which state: “Claims are unlikely to be successful for any remains over 300 years old, and are unlikely to be considered for remains over 500 years old, except where a very close and continuous geographical, religious, spiritual and cultural link can be demonstrated,” Honouring the Ancient Dead (HAD) was founded by Emma Restall Orr, during the May 2004 negotiations regarding roads around Stonehenge, questioning who has assumed authority over human remains.

Display at Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum

HAD works for the dignified treatment of human remains of British pagan provenance, communicating with academics and museums to raise awareness of the treatment of human remains in the British Isles. Exploring the issues of excavation, storage, museum display, disposal, repatriation and reburial; the organisation's core remit is dialogue and consultation between all relevant bodies when decisions are made about the remains of the ancient dead.


For more information contact Emma Restall Orr at HAD Office, PO Box 3533, Whichford, Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire CV36 5YB, tel 01865 600888 (press), email: office@honour.org.uk, web: www.honour.org.uk/node/431.


Human Remains: The Acknowledgment of Sanctity" - Emma Restall Orr, paper delivered at the conference ‘Respect for Ancient British Human Remains: Philosophy and Practice’ Manchester Museum, 17 November 2006.

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