A controversial Fife exhibition featuring human remains has sparked a heated debate among archaeologists.
Voices From the Past: Life and Death in Medieval Dunfermline will open at Abbot House Heritage Centre in the town on April 25 and will feature two human skeletons from the 14th Century.
The bones were unearthed during the early 1990s when new pipes were being laid at the eastern end of Abbot House.
Staff and trustees of Abbot House claim the exhibition is important to demonstrate, through human osteology, the way in which people lived and died in medieval Dunfermline. But the move has been branded “immoral” by some critics, who believe it is “unethical” to put human remains on display.
Archaeologists have joined in the debate, with more than 140 comments posted on the British Archaeological Jobs and Resources (B.A.J.R) Facebook page. Individuals gave their opinion in a survey created by page admin David Connolly, who also runs the B.A.J.R website.
The poll asked the question: Do you think it is moral abuse to display these skeletons? The survey generated 163 responses from archaeologists, with 134 voting no, they did not think it was moral abuse.
A total of 19 people said no, as long as the exhibition was handled respectfully, eight said no and that it was actually morally abusive to deny the reality of death and only two said they did believe it was unacceptable to display human remains.
In the comments section, Chris Chinnock said: “Human remains, where presented thoughtfully and respectfully, constitute a vital educational tool.”
Paul Tubb, however, said: “I think that the display has to be justified and contextualised.”
Mr Connolly said: “This subject has certainly raised questions and comment in the archaeological community. In medieval times, however, people were encouraged to display and touch sacred skeletal relics, obtaining in the process hope and reassurance.
“Our ancestors respected the dead but still wanted to keep them close and in a way that is no different to what these two medieval skeletons will do for us all at Abbot House.”