Archaeologically derived human remains in England: legacy and future.

The study and curation of human remains in the United Kingdom underwent a sea-change in response to the publication of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) guidance in 2005. Curatorial and research ethics and practice have improved, but these unique collections face new challenges – archives which are full and an increasing demand for samples for stable isotope and ancient DNA studies. This article reviews how holdings were and continue to be created and the ethical and practical issues that arise from these decisions. In contrast to much of the literature on this topic, it does not focus on the repatriation process and its consequences for UK museum practice. Instead, we address contemporary and future concerns regarding human remains excavated and curated in England, particularly issues of consent, permission and ancient DNA analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]