Human bones tell stories that would otherwise be lost to history. But archaeologists are increasingly confronted with demands to let past generations rest in peace. The picture above shows
the excavations of four burials at the 1608 Jamestown Church site. Archaeologists were able to identify the men by studying their skeletons.
News stories about archaeologists unearthing and studying human remains inevitably prompt accusations of “grave robbing.”
Someone might say, “These people were buried with love and dignity by the people who cared most about them “What gives anyone the right to dig them up and put their skeletons on display?”
These researchers are deeply aware that they are handling what was once a living person. They see themselves not only as scholars of the past, but as speakers for the dead, giving a voice to those whose stories might otherwise be lost to history. Leaving religious belief and historic grievances out of this, Is it Okay to Dig up the Dead?
the excavations of four burials at the 1608 Jamestown Church site. Archaeologists were able to identify the men by studying their skeletons.
News stories about archaeologists unearthing and studying human remains inevitably prompt accusations of “grave robbing.”
Someone might say, “These people were buried with love and dignity by the people who cared most about them “What gives anyone the right to dig them up and put their skeletons on display?”
These researchers are deeply aware that they are handling what was once a living person. They see themselves not only as scholars of the past, but as speakers for the dead, giving a voice to those whose stories might otherwise be lost to history. Leaving religious belief and historic grievances out of this, Is it Okay to Dig up the Dead?
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