Anat Biol Anthropol.  2019 Jun;32(2):77-82. 10.11637/aba.2019.32.2.77.

How to Return Mummified or Skeletal Human Remains to their Descendants after Anthropological Investigation

• Oh CS
• Shin DH
• Kim YG
• Park JB

• KMID: 2451561
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11637/aba.2019.32.2.77

Abstract

The mummies and skeletons excavated at the archaeological excavation site are an anthropologically important research subject. However, after the scientific analysis on them, it is sometimes necessary return them to their relatives for reburial. The descendants expect that the ancestor's reburial process could be performed in fully respectful manner, but the details of the process have not been fully discussed among the researchers concerned. In this report, we thus tried to share our experience for treatment of the ancient people's dead body before moving over to the family. In general, it is necessary for anthropologists to be skilled enough to carry out the funeral ritual that is commonly accepted among the Korean people. In case of skeletonized cases, each body part should be placed in correct anatomical position inside the coffin. As for the mummies, we will treat them in more respectful manner; for instance, putting them on with new clothes before returning to the family. Taken together, when ancient people's skeletonized or mummified body would be returned to their family, the proper way of treatment should be applied according to each circumstance; and this careful consideration could be a great help to maintain the dignity of the people who was accidentally discovered at the ancient graves in excavation field.

Keyword

Joseon Dynasty; Mummy; Ethics; Return; Funeral director

MeSH Terms

Clothing
Ethics
Humans*
Mummies
Research Subjects
Skeleton

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A skeletonized case from Joseon grave found at Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do. (A) The bone fragments (B) The fragmented bones wrapped in a Korean traditional paper. (C) Fetal bones also discovered from the grave. (D) Inside the coffin, the skeletonized remains were placed in an anatomical position. The coffin was filled with cotton.

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  Fig. 2 A male mummy found in Joseon period grave (Gangneung). (A) The mummy. (B to D) After investigation, the mummy was wrapped in cotton by a funeral instructor. (E) The mummy was put into a coffin. (F) The mummy was returned to the descendants.

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  Fig. 3 The discovery, investigation and return of human remains discovered at archaeological site.

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  Fig. 4 The different way of treatments for ancient human remains.

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  Fig. 5 The recommendation for treatment of ancient human remains. The method is based on the current protocol for modern funeral ritual.

Reference

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