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The article discusses debates over human remains in archaeology. The British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology (BABAO) maintains that retaining human remains is essential for re-analyzing materials. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) negotiated the return of human remains from British museums. The neopagan and druid lobby group Honouring the Ancient Dead (HAD) supports the reburial of ancestors.

The article presents two opinions regarding the scientific research, public display, and reburial of human remains uncovered at archaeological excavations. One author discusses the fact the most cases are unique and must be decided on a case-by-case basis. The other author specifically addresses requests for reburial by the Council of British Druid Orders' (CoBDO) to English Heritage and the National Trust regarding 5000 year old remains uncovered at Avebury, England.

A questionnaire regarding ethics and morals in archaeology is presented.

The author comments on the importance of excavations to archaeological research. He says that in the past excavations were disapproved of due to a belief that it was destructive to historical sites. The author says that while non-intrusive forms of survey such as geophysics and aerial photography still exist, there is no better way to answer questions about dating and chronology, and to find answers to unanswered questions than through excavation for buried evidence.

The author discusses the ethics of retaining human remains for archaeological and scientific purposes. He suggests that returning human remains to communities can help heal cultural traumas and that cultural relations are a factor in public support for reburial of remains. He comments that a majority of contested remains were collected for research that is no longer relevant and that relations between archaeologists and indigenous people can be improved through reburial.