What happens when unexpected human remains are uncovered on site?

Numerous different burial practices and types of burial have taken place down the ages, but they can generally be divided into two main categories: inhumations (the deliberate burial of unburned human remains) and cremations. 

All discoveries of suspected human remains must be handled in accordance with the Burial Act 1857.

If suspected human remains are uncovered during a project which is not undergoing archaeological evaluation or excavation, all work in that part of the site must stop immediately and the police should be contacted. Specialists will be consulted in order to confirm whether the remains are human and, if so, to determine if they are modern or can be considered as archaeological. 

If human remains are uncovered during an archaeological investigation, they should be left in situ (in place), and the relevant local planning authority’s (LPA) archaeological adviser and the client must be informed immediately. Human remains must be left in situ ideally with adjustments being made to the scheme design to allow them to remain undisturbed. If this cannot be achieved then, in agreement with the LPA’s archaeological adviser, an Exhumation Licence can be obtained from the Ministry of Justice. Once recorded, the remains can be excavated and removed in the appropriate manner, maintaining dignity, care and respect for them at all times. 

All work involving human remains must be carried out in accordance with the standards and guidelines recommended by the British Association of Biological Anthropologists and Osteologists (BABAO) alongside those of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA). It is very important to follow CIfA’s guidelines, as they not only outline the proper methodology for excavating human remains, but also emphasise the importance of treating them with dignity and respect.

What happens next?

In most cases, human remains will be transferred to the archaeological fieldwork contractor’s laboratory for further analysis.  

Although burials and their contexts should be recorded in detail during excavation, additional laboratory analysis is essential. This includes a full inventory of bones and teeth present, estimating the age at death and biological sex of the skeletal remains, measuring bones to help estimate sex and height, visually noting any unique physical traits and recording any signs of disease or injuries in the bones and teeth. 

A final report on the skeletal remains must be produced by a specialist following analysis, and additional time should be allowed for this process.

What is the impact of discovering human remains during a development?   

Although it is a common belief that discovering archaeological human remains during a development can cause severe delays and can be problematic for the project, with proper planning and the involvement of archaeological specialists from an early stage, the recovery of human remains can be managed efficiently and appropriately. 

Early-stage archaeological investigations, such as geophysical surveys, can provide useful indications of possible burials on the site, although they don’t provide definitive results. 

Identifying possible burials early in the project helps to plan a timely and appropriate strategy for excavating human remains, if needed.

Further information

Contact Dr Rachel Scrutton or Konstantinos Bompotis

Read more about the role of archaeology and the planning and development process:

Archaeology and the planning process

What is predetermination archaeology?

Archaeological planning conditions explained

Archaeological Written Schemes of Investigation: an explanation

Demystifying the Treasure Act

Types of archaeological fieldwork investigations