Ethical challenges of working with archaeological human remains, with a focus on the UK

This chapter focuses on the ethical and practical considerations concerning archaeological human remains in the UK. It first contextualises the chapter by including a personal perspective of the author’s experience as a bioarchaeologist over the last 35 years in the UK. It then reflects upon the development of bioarchaeology in the UK, and its value in informing us about our past, and its rise from a “cottage industry” to a thriving area of archaeology. It then considers the guidance available for excavation, analysis, curation, and display of archaeological human remains in the UK, and makes recommendations for the future. These include having more open dialogue amongst all stakeholders, treating human remains with dignity and respect and not objectifying them, educating the public and students alike, especially in the case of destructive analyses, and debating who has the right to decide the “fate” of human remains. It further highlights areas of concern and emphasises the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure appropriate care for our ancestors’ remains. Bioarchaeologists in particular have a duty to do their best for all human remains that have been, and will be, excavated and analysed in the future, and then curated, right across the world. We also have a duty to engage all stakeholders in debates, including the public and Indigenous people