Statement of Intention
As each new issue arises for HAD, with each new query and request placed on the desk, its intention is adjusting, finding the scope needed in order to address an increasing range of problems and possibilities. The Statement here published gives a broad sense of its purpose.
Note : The term ‘British’ used in this Statement refers to all pagan races who have at any time occupied any part of the British Isles.
The Aims of HAD
Honouring the Ancient Dead (HAD) is an organisation with its principal focus on the physical remains of ancient and historical pagan culture within the British Isles. Its aims are to ensure that appropriate care is given by those involved in the unearthing, studying, storing and display of such remains. HAD works on the basis that, within modern British Pagan traditions, such remains are considered worthy of profound respect, and in many Pagan religions are felt to be sacred.
This is to be achieved in the following ways.
Creating Relationships
HAD seeks to establish sound working relationships with relevant organisations and individuals, including archaeologists, historians, landowners, site custodians, universities, museums and curators, heritage organisations and all those responsible for the stewardship of our British heritage. In doing so, HAD aims to ensure that their practice is conducted with informed sensitivity with regard to Pagan religious and/or philosophical convictions.
Where necessary, and with the aim of securing mutual respect, HAD will work to educate all parties involved about the attitudes and practices of modern Paganism. Through this work, HAD aims also to promote appreciation and understanding of this country's heritage, across a wide range of communities.
Likewise, the validity of academics’ need to study remains will be acknowledged by HAD, who will feed information emerging from such studies directly back into the Pagan community through HAD internet resources.
Scope
HAD’s concern primarily is for all human remains understood as originating from pagan culture within the British Isles, together with artefacts associated with the deposition of those human remains and their religious practice.
The time period of HAD’s focus is prehistoric to 600 CE, and all humain remains from after that date not found within a clearly non-pagan religious context, up to 100 years ago.
HAD also aims to act as a conduit for Pagan archaeological issues generally, where necessary extending its network to seek advice from sources and experts within relevant areas. In this regard, HAD will liaise between Pagan and government bodies where necessary.
HAD’s remit refers to such artefacts and human remains where held in museums and other collections, including items that are kept in storage, currently being studied, and those presented on public display.
HAD’s interest lies equally in archaeological work currently being undertaken and work that will be carried out in the future, with reference to human remains and relevant artefacts discovered, and in particular where any such finds are disinterred.
While HAD will not get involved in specific campaigns for restitution of non-British human remains to other countries, it does include within its remit broad support for appropriate care for all pagan human remains and sacred objects in UK collections, whatever their origin.
HAD seeks to explore and enable ways in which the Pagan community can interact with objects held in UK museums, creating opportunities for this to take place.
Consultation
HAD will work with relevant agencies to obtain assurances with regard to how such objects are treated. Its aim is to establish a process of consultation with all parties involved.
When pagan human remains and relevant artefacts are disinterred, where deemed possible and approprite by both HAD and the archaeological team, and with mutual respect and acknowledgement for the sensitivity of the site, arrangements will be made so that a representative from HAD can visit in order to make any prayers or rituals felt to be necessary.
Thoughout the period of any work on a site where such remains have been found or the pagan heritage is evident, HAD seeks to ensure that information flows clearly between those involved and its own membership.
Consultation is also required with regard to what is done with any such finds.
HAD will help museums and related organisations to respond to the developing national agenda on appropriate care of human remains, by acting as a consultative forum. HAD will also advise on storage, display, collection and disposal issues. HAD will encourage involvement of the Pagan community in relevant museum events and activities, and where appropriate it will seek permission for the Pagan community to carry out either public or closed rituals in museum premises.
Reburial of Human Remains
The issue of reburial of pagan human remains is a key area of focus for HAD, and a topic currently attracting significant and growing interest within the political, heritage, archaeological and museum worlds. Reburial is now being supported as a realistic option by many museum professionals, as shown by the Director of the Museum of London's recent public statement. HAD seeks to instigate dialogue with all UK museums currently storing human bones and other physical remains, in order to discuss ideas, plans and strategies for the future.
Reburial is not deemed to be a mandatory action by HAD in relation to such remains; mandatory reburial is felt to be unproductive in its inflexibility, not always necessary from a Pagan perspective, and counter to HAD’s desire to build creative relationships. However, consultation with relevant organisations is now accepted as Best Practice for all publicly-funded organisations, and HAD has been specifically created to facilitate this process.
Where the case for reburial of human remains is believed the most convincing by HAD, the organisation will work to ensure this is achieved, and relevant ritual is performed by a priest/priestess of the Pagan community.