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

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.