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Oxbeast
Top of the SpoilHeap
United Kingdom
575 Posts |
 Posted - 16/10/2008 : 11:48:50
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The British Council of Druid Orders has requested the reburial of human remains held in the Kellier Museum. EH/NT have invited comment.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/aveburyreburialconsultation
There are sumbissions from a number of prehistorians as well as the BCDO.
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Paul Belford
Project Manager Level
United Kingdom
391 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 12:10:52
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I request that the Italian government compensate me for the capture and enslavement of my ancestors in the first century, and return their remains to me!
I request that the French government compensate me for the slaughter of my ancestors on the field at the battle of Crecy, and return their remains to me!
I request that the German government compensate me for the forced migration of my Polish and Romanian ancestors in the 1930s!
Since I regard Trafalgar Square as a sacred site, indeed the focus of my religion of Paulo-Astrianism, I further request that the Government permits me to rebury my ancestral remains beneath Nelson's Column, which is on a ley-line of great significance stretching from Aberdeen to Timbuktu. I demand public money to hear my case, and to waste a lot of academic and other time debating it.
Edited to replace the word 'demand' with the word 'request', since a polite request is much more credible.
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Edited by - Paul Belford on 16/10/2008 12:13:09 |
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oldgirl
Top of the SpoilHeap
501 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 12:48:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Paul Belford
I request that the Italian government compensate me for the capture and enslavement of my ancestors in the first century, and return their remains to me!
I request that the French government compensate me for the slaughter of my ancestors on the field at the battle of Crecy, and return their remains to me!
I request that the German government compensate me for the forced migration of my Polish and Romanian ancestors in the 1930s!
Since I regard Trafalgar Square as a sacred site, indeed the focus of my religion of Paulo-Astrianism, I further request that the Government permits me to rebury my ancestral remains beneath Nelson's Column, which is on a ley-line of great significance stretching from Aberdeen to Timbuktu. I demand public money to hear my case, and to waste a lot of academic and other time debating it.
Edited to replace the word 'demand' with the word 'request', since a polite request is much more credible.
I'll back you on that!!  |
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gonetopot
Project Officer Level
United Kingdom
108 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 13:18:35
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I believe the Romans had the right ideas about the Druids. They may have included the following:
-Big pointy stick
-Heavy blunt stick
-Short sharp sword
-Long ponted javelin
-Fire
-as many legionaries as could be invited to chase the devils across Wales/Cornwall and into the sea.
Just an idea you understand, but what with all these historical reenactment groups the potential for a repeat is just crying out, especially when they continue making such daft requests founded on their own twisted version of history. Rant over.
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Edited by - gonetopot on 16/10/2008 13:19:19 |
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RedEarth
Project Manager Level
335 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 13:20:54
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As an Fanatical Atheist I demand that, as there is no after life and nothing sacred in the entire world, all human remains should be recycled in the most suitable fashion and all relgious institutions converted into low-cost housing. I shall be working my way round all the museums in the world with a big sack.
As my non-religious beliefs are entirely made up I expect it will take about 70 years before anyone pays them any attention, at which point myself and my followers will be given the option of commenting on all sorts of things that don't really concern us.
On a serious note, I do think it's quite insulting to consider such requests in the same way musuems might consider those made by native Americans or Australian Aborignes.
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Unitof1
Top of the SpoilHeap
Nigeria
696 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 13:22:45
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Whats has it got to do with Eascist Heritage.
Isnt this all National Trust, dont they have an in perpetuity statute?
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Paul Belford
Project Manager Level
United Kingdom
391 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 13:36:28
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Posted by oldgirl:
quote:
I'll back you on that!!
Hooray! That means that Paulo-Astrianism now has a follower, which means I am becoming a religion.
Posted by RedEarth:
quote:
On a serious note, I do think it's quite insulting to consider such requests in the same way musuems might consider those made by native Americans or Australian Aborignes.
Quite. Although in many cases in the US, due to 19th century displacements being fossilised in the modern reservation system, present-day native American populations in any given area may not be descended from the archaeological populations found in their territory. There is still, however, a world of difference between a broad native American continuity of belief systems - and an entirely made-up (post-Enlightenment) religion such as that of modern-day Druids.
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Edited by - Paul Belford on 16/10/2008 13:37:16 |
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BAJR Host
BAJR
United Kingdom
5939 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 14:47:35
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Paulo-Astrianism ... now thats something I can believe in... !
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers |
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trowelmonkey
Project Officer Level
United Kingdom
132 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 14:48:03
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I need a cuppa, so I'm going to be cranky.
I am willing to concede neopaganism as a valid organised religion. It has a long enough pedigree by now for several generations to have been raised within its cultural construct. I am glad that by-in-large Neopagans feel the same way.
I am particularly outraged that CoBDO are basing their request on genetic grounds (as if the rest of the British population has no DNA connection). The "blood/DNA" argument has been used to so much pernicious effect over the past two centuries. How dare we presume how the deceased viewed belonging?
How will these Neo-druids feel better for burying this set of bones? It seems like group displacement activity for other chips on their shoulders (A bit like why people joined up with the fascisits in the '30's and before people scream I am NOT calling anyone a fascist, just commenting that feeling victimised and petty bullying walk hand-in-hand.) Their argument is far worse than the unthinking, kindly Christian reburial of ancient remains that used to go on. As to redress for truly ancient misdeeds: we're all descended from nice people and truly nast ones somewhere down the line.
Very bad precedent for archaeology. Seahenge was bad enough.... |
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vulpes
Top of the SpoilHeap
503 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 14:55:49
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quote:
Seahenge was bad enough....
Presumably you mean unecessarily ripping it up and then sticking it in a shed in Peterborough for a few years? Pretty appaling fiasco, agreed. |
Edited by - vulpes on 16/10/2008 14:57:10 |
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Oxbeast
Top of the SpoilHeap
United Kingdom
575 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 15:01:42
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| I thought that Seahenge was rescued from imminent destruction by the sea, and then stored at a nearby specialist dendro facility. Which does resemble a shed, though you say that as if its a bad thing. |
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Dirty Dave Lincoln
Top of the SpoilHeap
United Kingdom
625 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 15:02:25
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I wonder what they will want next, a return of human sacrifice? burning the wicker man? |
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vulpes
Top of the SpoilHeap
503 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 15:09:08
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| That's the party line, certainly. My point is that it's only one way of seeing it. It has also been suggested that the 'imminent destruction by the sea' reason was not proven, although the air would be the more likely culprit. The fate of Holme II and it's subsequent treatment is not unrelated to this story. |
Edited by - vulpes on 16/10/2008 15:14:30 |
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trowelmonkey
Project Officer Level
United Kingdom
132 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 15:19:23
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When I come over all heathen I'm all in favour of the Funeral Pyre Campaign (http://www.anglo-asian.moonfruit.com/). Bonfire cremated bone is just so pretty. I once asked whether I could keep some sherds and have them mounted in silver and sold as brooches, but I just got dirty looks, no sense of aesthetics! Although, my heathen self is not as environmentally friendly as my rationalish adult self. The freeze-dry and shatter method is supposed to be very efficient modern "cremation."
Personally, I do not feel guilt about actual excavation, but often feel uneasy when something really good comes along and there doesn't seem to be enough thought put into the modern after-life of projects, ie storage, preservation, research etc.
Out of curiostity, Vulpes, how would you've like to have seen seahenge handled? |
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vulpes
Top of the SpoilHeap
503 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 15:29:31
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quote:
Out of curiostity, Vulpes, how would you've like to have seen seahenge handled?
More sympathetically than it was TM. And you know, I think if it was found tomorrow it would be. See Holme II. |
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trowelmonkey
Project Officer Level
United Kingdom
132 Posts |
Posted - 16/10/2008 : 15:38:33
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More sympathetically than it was TM. And you know, I think if it was found tomorrow it would be. See Holme II.
We learn (hopefully) by trial and error 
I'm surprised that the Avebury reburial thing has gotten so far CoBDO are far from the centre of the pagan establishment. If they had the backing of OBOD and/or PF I could see EH really taking notice, although I would still have to disagree with the stance. |
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Reburial of human remains from 
