BABAO Code of Ethics for archaeological1 human remains
Preamble
The purpose of BABAO is the advancement of human bioarchaeology and
osteoarchaeology. This Code of Ethics holds the position that the generation of
knowledge about past human lifeways using archaeological data is a worthy goal.
Human remains are our most direct source of evidence in this respect. Their study is
therefore central to our understanding of the human past. They also play an important
role in the advancement of biomedical and forensic research, and hence contribute
directly to social good today.
By virtue of their status as the remains of once living people, treatment of human
remains requires ethical considerations over and above those that pertain to other
classes of archaeological materials. All educational courses involving human remains
should include training in ethical aspects. Both students and professionals should
reflect upon ethical issues and engage in dialogue with colleagues to help them arrive
at properly thought-out stances on ethical debates in osteoarchaeology. BABAO
encourages open communication and debate between all parties with an interest in
human remains.
Osteoarchaeologists may find themselves working in complex situations requiring
carefully considered ethical choices. In such circumstances, osteoarchaeologists must
exercise professional judgement in their practical responses, and be willing to be held
accountable for their actions. The aim of the Code is to aid osteoarchaeologists
working in field, laboratory, museum or other environments in making these
decisions. Consultation, as appropriate, with panels set up to give advice on ethical
matters (for example, the Advisory Panel on the Archaeology of Christian Burials in
England), may also be helpful in problematic cases.
This Code is not intended to be the final word on osteoarchaeological ethics. On the
contrary, it will need to be subject to periodic review to ensure that it continues to
meet the needs of practitioners.
This Code begins from the following basic premises:

Human remains should always be treated with dignity, sensitivity and respect
regardless of age or provenance.

Given the importance of human remains as a source of information about our
past, osteoarchaeologists should work toward the long-term conservation of
the osteoarchaeological record.

Osteoarchaeologists should be committed to public education and promote the
value of the scientific study of archaeological human remains.
The recommendations set out below draw upon these premises.
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In a UK context these are usually taken to be remains over 100 years old, but this may be
different in other contexts.
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Human remains in osteoarchaeological research and professional practice

What constitutes respectful treatment of human remains varies in different
cultures and contexts, and different people have different feelings about
human remains. Osteoarchaeologists should be sensitive to the cultural and
other contexts in which they are working.

Exploitation of ancient human remains for commercial gain is abhorrent and
may encourage looting and destruction of archaeological sites.

Osteoarchaeologists should make themselves aware of and ensure they comply
with legal parameters relating to the treatment of human remains pertinent to
the country in which they are working.

No burial should be disturbed without good reason. Archaeological
excavation of burial grounds is normally carried out as a response to a threat to
the cemetery due to modern development. Disturbance of unthreatened sites
should only be contemplated if it is essential to an adequately funded, peerreviewed research project orientated toward specific and well-justified
research aims.

Collections of human remains in museums, universities and other institutions
are the foundation of osteoarchaeological research as a science. They are vital
for replicative studies and for research that addresses new questions or
involves new analytical techniques.
 Collections should be treated in ways which preserve opportunities for
future workers to learn from them.
 Museums or other holding institutions should have written policies
concerning access to and use of human remains collections, and they
should be cognisant of published guidelines in this area.
 Collections of human remains should be accessible to bona fide
osteological researchers and others with a legitimate interest in their
study.
 Collections should be stored in environmental conditions which ensure
their physical integrity. Researchers should handle remains with care
and respect.
 Samples should only be taken for destructive analysis if they address
compelling research questions which could not be tackled using nondestructive techniques. Any sampling should be carefully planned to
minimise damage to collections. Affected specimens should have been
adequately recorded osteologically prior to sampling and, if
appropriate, casts made.
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
Destruction of information about our past by indiscriminate reburial of skeletal
collections is unethical. Nevertheless, in some cases of contested remains,
moral rights of a claimant group over the remains may outweigh this
consideration, so that reburial rather than retention is the more appropriate
response. Museums, or other holding institutions, as the guardians of the
remains have the responsibility of making decisions regarding claims. Claims
for reburial should be resolved on a case-by-case basis taking into account the
scientific importance of the remains and the strength of the relationship of the
claimant group to them. The weight accorded to claimants’ views should
depend upon the closeness of their genetic affinity with the remains and/or on
the degree of cultural continuity between them and the remains. Dialogue
between museums, osteoarchaeologists and legitimate claimant groups may
enable compromise solutions to be reached, and BABAO fully supports such
dialogue. Where available and appropriate, agreed frameworks, such as that
produced by the UK Government Department of Culture, Media and Sport
(Swain, 2005), should be used to assess claims.
Human remains, education and the public

Practical study of human remains is a vital part of any university course with
an osteological component. Prior to handling remains, students should be
reminded of the relevant ethical and legal obligations, and taught correct
handling procedures to minimise wear and tear.

Displays of human remains to the public at museums and other institutions are
to be encouraged, provided they serve a valid educational purpose and are
presented respectfully and sensitively. Site visits by the general public to
archaeological cemetery excavations are similarly encouraged.

Osteoarchaeologists should be aware of opportunities to disseminate results of
their work to a wider audience. When dealing with the media, control over
published or broadcast output is often difficult. However, every effort should
be made to try to ensure that work is not tastelessly sensationalised, and in
particular careful judgement should be exercised about the use of images of
human remains.

In dealing with the media and the general public, osteoarchaeologists should
be candid about their skills and intentions, and present their work in its
appropriate context and with suitable caveats.

Osteoarchaeologists should be alert for opportunities to take part in media
debates on relevant matters, such as reburial / repatriation of remains, in a way
which promotes human osteoarchaeology.
Reference
Swain, H., ed. 2005. Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums.
London: DCMS.
Compiled by Simon Mays, January 2008
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