In 2005, the Church of England, English Heritage and the Home Office, as the three national organisations with statutory obligations for issues regarding the archaeology of burial, agreed to the setting up of the Advisory Panel on the Archaeology of Christian Burials in England (APACBE) as a source of consensus professional advice on the archaeological treatment of human remains in Christian graves.
This panel has proved to be very successful in promoting a consistent approach to relevant religious, ethical, legal, archaeological and scientific issues, but this has thrown into relief the lack of a similar source of advice covering non-Christian remains. The Church of England, English Heritage and the Ministry of Justice (which has taken over the former Home Office responsibilities for regulating the exhumation of human remains) therefore consider that the creation of a single source of advice covering all burials in England over 100 years old would be appropriate and timely. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) supports this initiative.
It is therefore proposed that the existing panel be dissolved and be replaced with a new body, the Advisory Panel on the Archaeology of Burials in England (APABE). The aim of this new Panel would be to support curators, practitioners and others in interpreting the guidance documents issued in 2005 by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and by English Heritage and the Church of England, and to produce new guidance where necessary.
This consultation asks for your comments on this proposal. In particular we would be grateful for your views on:
This consultation closes on 1st May 2009, submissions are invited by letter or, preferably, email, to Simon Mays (Secretary): English Heritage, Fort Cumberland, Eastney, Portsmouth PO4 9LD. Please make it clear whether you are making comments as an individual or as a representative of a group or organisation (we would value either).
Any interested organisation or individual is very welcome to comment on this proposal. We would be grateful if you would pass on this invitation to any other such groups or individuals who you think may wish to comment.
An analysis of the responses received, and the decision taken in the light of those responses, will be placed on the APABE and English Heritage websites in due course.
Joseph Elders & Simon Mays
Acting for the Church of England, English Heritage and the Ministry of Justice.
The aim of APABE is to support curators, practioners and stakeholders in interpreting the guidance documents issued in 2005 by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and by English Heritage and Church of England and to produce new guidance where necessary.
The advisory panel has been very successful in promoting a consistent approach to relevant religious, ethical, legal, archaeological and scientific issues. With this in mind, it feels that there is a pressing need for formalised guidelines on the application of ancient DNA analysis to human remains.
This consultation asks for your comments on Supplementary Guidance Note 1 In particular we would be grateful for views on:
This consultation closes on 30th June 2011, submissions are invited by letter or, preferably, email, to Angela Boyle (Secretary): 27 Inverkip Drive, Shotts, ML7 4DF. Please indicate clearly whether you are making comments as an individual or as a representative of a group or organisation (we would value either).
Any interested organisation or individual is very welcome to comment on this proposal. We would be grateful if you would pass on this invitation to any other such groups or individuals who you think may wish to comment.
An analysis of the responses received will be placed on the APABE website in due course.
Holger Schutkowski (chair) & Angela Boyle (secretary)
Compiled by Simon Mays, English Heritage.
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