Human Remains

SMA MATERIAL FACT SHEET 1

Human remains

Glossary ώώ Separate the remains of an individual into their own container whenever Ancient DNA (aDNA): genetic information possible. Bag human remains and about disease and the individual can be place them in boxes with padded bases extracted from a variety of body tissues and packing materials. Specially- (e.g. calculus, tooth, bone). designed storage boxes for skeletons are available. Collagen: protein that can be extracted ώώ Because human remains should be stored from a variety of body tissues. separately, make sure documentation is robust to prevent disassociation between Human remains: the skeletonised and soft- human remains and any artefacts they tissue remains of a human body. were recovered with.

Human tissue: bone, teeth/tooth, hair, nails, Specific guidance: muscle or other soft-tissue. Soft-tissue/mummified remains/samples Sample (wet/dry): a portion of body tissue. (i.e. collagen, aDNA):

Ethical considerations ώώ Wet samples: frozen in new freezer- proof labelled vials/containers. They ώώ Human remains should always be may be temporarily stored in new plastic treated with dignity and respect. vials/containers using dry-ice. ώώ Recognise that these are the remains of ώώ Dry hair samples: new labelled vials or past people, and are a finite resource for acid-free paper envelopes, stored in aDNA and other destructive sampling labelled conservation-grade containers, technologies. away from direct sunlight in a stable ώώ Recognise that the excavation, curation environment. and research of human remains is ώώ Dry collagen: new labelled plastic/glass informed by the concerns of descendant vials in a stable environment at room groups, cultures of origins, contemporary temperature, out of direct sunlight. society, modern religious and humanist ώώ Soft-tissue samples: may be frozen in philosophies, and medical ethics. new freeze-proof labelled containers; dry tissue in labelled conservation- Storage grade containers. Both should be kept in a stable environment out of General principles: direct sunlight. ώώ aDNA samples: kept frozen at -80°C for ώώ Human remains should have a dedicated long-term survival; -20 °C is tolerable for storage area (depending on the size of less than a year. the collection) where they are secure, with an appropriate access policy.

Human remains

Skeletonised human remains: ώώ The larger and heavier human remains (e.g. leg bones) should be packed at the ώώ Should be stored in a secure area bottom, with lighter and more delicate with controlled access, away from remains on top (e.g. ribs). public view. ώώ Packing and bags should not move ώώ Containers should be inert and acid-free, around within the box. and large enough to contain the remains ώώ Pathological or fragile remains will without causing further damage. require additional packing. ώώ If multiple boxes are used for a single ώώ Durable shelving (i.e. metal) should be individual, these should be numbered 1/3 used, and not overloaded. etc., and shelved together. ώώ Boxes should never be in direct contact ώώ Human remains should be packed in with the floor. clear strong plastic bags (500 gauge ώώ Where appropriate, descendants thickness) according to body area (as per DCMS 2005, 26-27) should (e.g. right hand bones). be consulted to ensure that storage ώώ Cremations can be placed in sealable considers their wishes. non-perforated plastic bags (500 gauge ώώ Newspaper should not be used, thickness) or containers. bubble-wrap should only be used as a temporary, interim measure.

Tormarton Skeleton © Bristol Culture

Human remains

Labelling and Marking ώώ Illuminance: 300 lux maximum. ώώ UV Radiation: 0–10 microwatts per lumen Most skeletal remains can be given surface ideal. 75 microwatts per lumen maximum. marking. If the recommended temperature and ώώ Use a layer of Paraloid B72, then ink, humidity levels are unachievable, stability then a layer of Paraloid B72 to seal. should be a primary consideration. ώώ Label bags or boxes if items are too small or friable to mark. Indicators of decay

Marking is standard practice for British ώώ Disintegration causing fine powdering. remains, but you should seek advice as ώώ Pests (e.g. rodents). to whether this is appropriate for human ώώ Human remains are vulnerable to water, remains of individuals from other cultures. damp and mould. You can access advice from the Museum ώώ If associated with other materials Ethnographers Group (MEG), an ACE (e.g. soft-tissue, consolidants or non- recognised Subject Specialist Network. organics) then their decay can affect skeletonised remains. Before object marking human remains: ώώ Inspect for: cracking and flaking of the outer layer (i.e. cortex), and ώώ Undertake a documentation check to fragmentation. ensure that the information is correct ώώ Inspect previous remedial conservation/ before remains are marked. repairs for degradation. ώώ Ensure that marking is clear and legible. ώώ Remains affected by fungus, mould or ώώ Mummified/preserved soft-tissue: pests should be isolated from other avoid direct labelling/marking. collections. ώώ Skeletonised human bone: indelible marker pen or Indian ink written on a Where you Will come across barrier of HMG Paraloid B-72. human remains ώώ Avoid marking across anatomical landmarks or pathology. ώώ In archaeological excavation archives (skeletons or cremations). Environmental data ώώ In Ancient Egyptian or American collections (mummified remains). ώώ Temperature: 16–20°C maximum. ώώ In World Culture collections. ώώ Humidity: 45% +/- 5% [over 65% high risk ώώ In composite objects (e.g. hair, carved for mould]. bone artefacts).

Human remains

Handling ώώ Breakage or missing remains. ώώ Mixing of skeletal elements between ώώ Lay out human remains on a clean individuals. protected and padded surface, such as ώώ Undocumented destructive sampling. bubble wrap or Plastazote covered in acid-free tissue. Health and Safety ώώ Be aware that the risk of disassociation is high when moving and studying ώώ Viewing and/or handling remains with skeletons, make sure handling and soft-tissue can lead to post-traumatic labelling protocols are robust. stress disorder. ώώ Nitrile gloves are not necessary, but ώώ Archaeological skeletal remains have hands should be clear and jewellery little to no risk of infection. Only in rare should be removed before handling. cases, contaminated or recent burial Where remains are dusty or where sites may produce risks of specific there are additional health and safety biological or toxic hazards. Seek considerations, wear nitrile gloves and an specialist advice. appropriate facemask if necessary. ώώ Potential sources: items soaked in ώώ Fragile items should be supported body liqor (e.g. coffin mattresses), by Plastazote/microfoam, or a bean horse hair pillows, sealed lead coffins, bag made from polypropylene pellets and lead items. ώώ Potential hazards relating to human Further handling guidance can be found remains collections may be associated in Cassman, V., Odegaard, N. and Powell, with: historical pest/fungicide treatment J. (eds.) (2008) Human remains. Guide which may include arsenic, or organic for Museums and Academic Institutions. pesticides, historical estimation of Altamira: Plymouth, 49-58. cranial capacity using mercury, remains from lead coffins which often contain Look out for high levels of lead or mould which may produce harmful spores. Mummified remains may contain preserved ώώ Risk Assessments should be human tissue, as well as other materials. Seek undertaken for handling collections specialist advice for storage and handling. that may pose specific hazards, and appropriate control measures In addition, be aware of: (e.g. glove and respiratory protection use) implemented where necessary. ώώ Compromised environmental conditions. ώώ Degradation of the human remains (i.e. cracking).

Human remains

Sources of further information

There are a number of Subject Specialist Networks who can provide support:

Association of Curators for Collections from Egypt and Sudan (ACCES)

Human Remains Subject Specialist Network

Museum Ethnographers Group (MEG)

Advances in Archaeological Practice 7.1. (2019) The practice and ethics of skeletal conservation.

Advisory Panel on the Archaeology of Burials in England (APABE) (2017) Guidance for Best Practice for Treatment of Human Remains Excavated from Christian Burial Grounds in England. (Second Edition)

British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology (2019) Codes of Ethics, Practice and Digital Imaging.

Collections Trust – Guidance and Resources on Restitution and Repatriation.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) (2005) Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums.

Fletcher, A., Antoine, D. and Hill, J.D. (eds.), (2014). Regarding the Dead: Human Remains in the British Museum. London: The Trustees of the British Museum.

Giesen, M. (ed.), (2013). Curating Human Remains. Caring for the Dead in the United Kingdom. Stroud: Boydell & Brewer.

Historic England (2004) Human Bones from Archaeological Sites: Guidelines for Producing Assessment Documents and Analytical Reports.

Museums Association (2015) Code of Ethics for Museums.

Museum Ethnographers Group (MEG) (1994) Professional Guidelines Concerning the Storage, Display, Interpretation and Return of Human Remains in Ethnographical Collections in United Kingdom Museums. Journal of Museum Ethnography,6.

Human remains

Sources of further information (continued)

Museums and Galleries Commission (2000) Restitution and Repatriation. Guidelines for Good Practice. Museums and Galleries Commission

Roberts, C.A. 2018. Human Remains in Archaeology. A Handbook. York: Council for British Archaeology.

World Archaeological Congress (1989) The Vermillion Accord, Archaeological Ethics and the Treatment of the Dead, A Statement of Principles agreed by Archaeologists and Indigenous Peoples at the World Archaeological Congress.