Druids battle over skeleton

In 1929 the archaeologist Alexander Keiller discovered the remains of a skeleton near Windmill Hill, a Neolithic site.

The skeleton, which has been named Charlie, has been on display in the local museum since the  museum opened.

The Council of British Druid Orders argued in 2006 that the skeleton should be re-buried. The resulting peroid of public consultation is due to end this weekend when English Heritage and the National Trust* will make a decision.

The skeleton will eiter remain in the museum or be reburied at Windmill Hill.

Rollo Maughfling, the archdruid of Stonehenge and Glastonbury, said: “Beyond all the other philosophical, scientific and religious arguments, in the end it comes down to something called common human decency.”

The move is opposed by academics who worry that any decision to rebury Charlie will result in a trend of other  important archaeological finds  being returned to the earth.

Dr Josh Pollard from Bristol University told the BBC, “I think it could set a very dangerous precedent, one in which we would find a situation where all prehistoric human remains held in museums, held in other collections across the United Kingdom, have to be reburied.”

In Pure Spirit

What do you think? Should Charlie be reburied? Is Charlie different from any other ancient skeleton unearthed by archaeologists? Or are you concerned that once we start to rebury skeletons found near historic sites that our ability to rediscover and learn from the past will be impaired?

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