A solution for the permanent storage of historical skeletal remains for research purposes: A South Australian precedent that keeps scientists and the church community happy

Abstract

Archaeological excavations in the mid-19th century cemetery of the Anglican Church of St. Mary's in Adelaide resulted in the recovery of 70 human skeletons. Following a period of time for osteological analyses. the remains were to be re-interred in the church cemetery. Osteological examinations revealed good preservation and a variety of pathologies. The re-burial of collections such as this effectively means that they are permanently lost to science. As a consequence efforts were made by the researchers to avoid the loss of the collection and negotiations with the Church led to the creation of a storage facility in the grounds of the Church. A 13,640-litre concrete rainwater tank was buried and modified internally to accommodate the skeletal collection. This approach was found to be both cost effective and ethically acceptable to all parties involved