Protest over Stonehenge human remains plan
Druid writes to Unesco over English Heritage's new visitor centre
A druid leader has written to Unesco in protest at plans by English Heritage to display human remains at a new visitor centre scheduled to open at Stonehenge.
King Arthur Pendragon, battle chieftain of the Council of British Druid Orders, said in an open letter to Irina Bokova, director general of Unesco, that “copies”, rather than real remains, should be presented at the £27m centre.
English Heritage said the new venue, which is 1.5 miles from the ancient monument at Airman’s Corner, is due to be completed by the end of the year.
Pendragon said the move was “surely against the driving cultural principles of a Unesco world heritage site”.
He added that he was “considering all options, including legal action, protest and non-violent direct action”.
A Unesco statement said: “The management of world heritage sites remains the responsibility of the countries which proposed them for inscription on the world heritage list.”
An English Heritage spokeswoman said: “The remains of three human burials found in the landscape will be displayed with ample explanation, along with archaeological objects.
“Real objects and primary evidence are what museums and archaeological exhibitions are about.”
The three sets have been in the care of scholarly institutions for at least 10 years, she added.
The presentation, treatment and storage of the remains will follow guidelines set out by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
King Arthur Pendragon, battle chieftain of the Council of British Druid Orders, said in an open letter to Irina Bokova, director general of Unesco, that “copies”, rather than real remains, should be presented at the £27m centre.
English Heritage said the new venue, which is 1.5 miles from the ancient monument at Airman’s Corner, is due to be completed by the end of the year.
Pendragon said the move was “surely against the driving cultural principles of a Unesco world heritage site”.
He added that he was “considering all options, including legal action, protest and non-violent direct action”.
A Unesco statement said: “The management of world heritage sites remains the responsibility of the countries which proposed them for inscription on the world heritage list.”
An English Heritage spokeswoman said: “The remains of three human burials found in the landscape will be displayed with ample explanation, along with archaeological objects.
“Real objects and primary evidence are what museums and archaeological exhibitions are about.”
The three sets have been in the care of scholarly institutions for at least 10 years, she added.
The presentation, treatment and storage of the remains will follow guidelines set out by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.