Why are the remains of the dead not honored and respected?

Question

why do people think that it is okay to unearth people from ages gone by and study the remains and then display them for the public. the remains were of someone who was a loved one, they grieved from the loss of this person and remembered them with love and fondness. Never once imagining that some monster would be examining them in the name of science. I'm not questioning the use of forensics to reach the cause of death in recent cases but the long ago dead who should rest in peace. I'm especially saddened by the ones that were obviously laid to rest by others.

Answer 1

It's a tricky question, especially in the US, where we have had a pretty nasty history of treating Native American dead badly.  Currently, archaeological work in the US with pre-contact human remains depends on the permission of whatever tribes are historically associated with that area.  If remains are found, the tribes are contacted and they have a lot of say in how it's handled, who can see the remains, what happens to them.  It's pretty regulated, thankfully, because I've heard some awful stories of what has happened in the past.

I think that the best we can do, since it is important to study human remains, is to get permission from the descendants.  In cases where this is not possible, I think the will of the community is the best we can do.  For instance, we can't ask the descendants of the pharaohs for permission because we don't know who they are.  However, the government of Egypt can act as a representative of those descendants, as it is a body made up of Egyptians and representing Egyptians and somewhere in there is Rameses the Great's many times great-grandkids.  I think, in general, the archaeology community is trying to be a lot more careful of this, and not just with grave goods and remains, either.  The entire cultural heritage belongs to the people's descendants, and we have a terrible history of exploitation and theft.  It's better nowadays, although never perfect, and many more people are aware of this potential problem.

Answer 2

You don't realise how bad it can really get. In the 19th century they were shipping mummies from egypt to the US to burn in place of coal, because it was cheaper than coal.

Modern archeology generally does not specifically dig up grave sites. However, many graves have been found while construction is taking place. Then the remains are removed and often reburied, if possible, according to the appropriate cultural traditions.

Often graves are sites of very important archeological evidence, because we find pristine examples of artifacts from the time and give us a snap shot of history.

So be examining these graves we learn something about a past culture, with the idea of understanding and showing respect to the whole of that culture.

Some issues exist with remains that are in museums around the world. Often these have been taken without consent of the local people and many indigenious groups are fighting for their return. And many museums are returning the remains for reburial.

If you feel strongly about this issue, I recommend the next time you see remains on the display write a polite letter to that museum or institute expressing your feelings about this matter. This polite pressure is likely to produce the result you desire.

Answer 3

Because they are just remains.

Answer 4

Once a person has been buried for many years, all that remains of the body are bone minerals. The soul and what made that person who they were is gone. And when everyone who remembered that person is also gone, the bones are no longer holy or sacred, they are just minerals (unless you believe spirits live on in phosphates and carbonates).

If "monsters" study ancient bones that everyone has forgotten about they can learn about the history of a people and pass it on to the living... they can help their descendants remember their past.

Answer 5

Because in Western "culture?" the Almighty Dollar is valued more than respect for dead individuals and thier religious traditions and beliefs.  Let's face it Starbucks pays taxes to the local system and dead people 6 ft under don't.

Answer 6

What of cemeteries with limited space in cities? It is reasonable for them to lease a gravesite for 100 yrs, so relatives can visit, but then reuse that plot for the next generation of dead people, so their relatives can visit easily, too. After that, it should be up to the relatives to do what they think best (family crypt, reburial in the countryside, or cremation & storage/display in homes).

Answer 7

I am 39 years old. My only contribution to human civilization worth note is my daughter.

10,000 years from now, probably sooner, I'll be dead, my daughter will be dead, anyone who ever heard of us will be dead.

I prefer to think that something kinda cool comes later but true or not I'd be perfectly happy to have my bones examined in the interest of knowledge. I don't like to stand on ceremony now much less 10,000 years from now. I would even look forward to it if dead people looked forward too things.

The only one who can speak for the long dead is the scientist. Only they can tell us who they were. The idea of being put in the ground and left unknown, anonymous and quite quite dead for the sake of similar individuals who are also quite quite dead is rather depressing too me.

P.S. I'm not sure I'd feel the same about being firewood though.