Proposed changes to human remains law could have ‘unintended consequences’

This article was first published by Museums Association.

Archaeology sector bodies have called for cross-sector input to inform any potential changes to human remains law and policy in the UK.

In a joint statement, eight archaeological organisations from across the UK said a “cross-sector consultative forum” should be established to enable a wide range of viewpoints to be heard on any proposed changes to human remains legislation and practice.

Referencing a policy brief issued by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Afrikan Reparations (APPG-AR) in March, the statement said that “recent calls for changes to legislation and practice have raised important questions and concerns that we wish to address”.

While the policy brief focused specifically on African ancestral remains, it made a number of recommendations that would apply to all human remains.