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stonehenge bones

Druids and archaeologists battle over display of human remains at Stonehenge

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A heated debate is currently taking place between archaeologists, who insist that bones of ancient Britons buried near Stonehenge should be put on display in the new £27 million visitor centre, and a group of Druids who are campaigning for the bones to be reburied.

The argument taking place revolves around questions about human dignity and how best to educate people about history.

Archaeologist Julian Richards said that “coming face to face, or face to skull” with an ancient Briton was important as it helped visitors “make that connection” with the people who built Stonehenge. According to Richards, some museums are adopting an overly conciliatory approach, which removes the opportunity for people to learn through seeing.  “Given that the past is about understanding people, then those physical remains of those people, especially if they can be used to illustrate something about the life of someone, are a very powerful thing,” said Richards.

However, the leader of the Druid group, Arthur Pendragon, a former soldier who changed his name by deed poll and who claims to be a reincarnation of King Arthur, said he planned to lead up to 200 “robed up” druids at a protest. “We believe the ancient dead should have as much respect as the recent dead,” he said. “The way I see it, it’s not just a druid or pagan issue. It’s just one of common decency and respect – let those at rest stay at rest.”

While English Heritage, the ‘keepers’ of Stonehenge are willing to respect the Druids right to peaceful demonstration, Julian Richards is less willing to hear them out.  According to Richards, modern day druids do not have the right to speak on behalf of ancient Britons because they do not have any direct cultural lineage.

Stonehenge’s new visitor centre opens tomorrow and plans are for the human remains to go on display. The druid’s protest will be launched alongside the opening.

By John Black

 

Comments

It would be interesting to know about their Y and mt DNA. Has this been performed and published somewhere?

Phimcree's picture

To say that they have no right to speak on behalf of ancient Britons because they do not have any direct cultural lineage is at the very least a completely arrogant statement.  Have they performed a DNA study on each of the druids to determine exactly what their "cultural lineage" is? 

I think the bones should be reburied in the same manner they were discovered.  They can always place very realitic looking replicas in the museum.  People are laid to rest in specific ways according to their customs. That should be sacred and if we must disturb them for the purpose of study, so be it. But they should be returned exactly as they were found when we are done.

 

According to Richards, modern day druids do not have the right to speak on behalf of ancient Britons because they do not have any direct cultural lineage. - See more at: http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/druids-and-archa... According to Richards, modern day druids do not have the right to speak on behalf of ancient Britons because they do not have any direct cultural lineage. - See more at: http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/druids-and-archa...

Phi McRee

If their sole purpose for wanting the bones is to put them on display, why can they not do as many museums do and make castings? This would allow them to make their display, and would allow the original bones to be reinterred.

Come on guys, have some respect and bury the bones

johnblack's picture

John Black

Dr John (Ioannis) Syrigos initially began writing on Ancient Origins under the pen name John Black. He is both a co-owner and co-founder of Ancient Origins.

John is a computer & electrical engineer with a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, a... Read More

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