BONES PROTEST
RESOLVING THE HUMAN REMAINS CRISIS IN BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY:
THE COUNTER ARGUMENT
King Arthur Pendragon
Battlechieftain, Council of British Druid Orders
Introduction
In 2008 ancient cremated human remains were re-exhumed from Aubrey Hole 7 at Stonehenge, licensed under the Burial Act of 1857 for a two-year period of study.
These remains had been removed previously from a number of the Aubrey Holes encircling the Temple/Monument of Stonehenge by the archaeologists of the day and replaced at a later date in one of the cremation pits that they had been removed from. We, the Council of British Druid Orders, the wider Pagan community, and My Order in particular were assured by the 'powers that be' that under the current legislation they would be returned to what was and should have remained, in our opinion, their final resting place encircling what we believe to be 'our' Premier Temple.
Moves by the archaeologists and their supporters were afoot to change or reinterpret this legislation as is set out in the paper above. And for this reason we, and my Order in particular, set about a legal challenge of our own. I for my part, two years later when a five-year extension was granted, sought a Judicial Review of the Ministry of Justice's decision to grant such an extension.
Our Reasoning
We do not consider ourselves, as do some of the archaeologists, as a 'new religion', but the re-emergence of a far older one. Pagan and the Druid Priest Caste are the indigenous beliefs of these Pre-Christian Isles. It is, however, not our belief structure that is in question here but 'Belief' itself. These People, and it should be remembered that when archaeologists talk about remains they are talking about the earthly remains of what were once people like you or I - walking talking folk with all the same needs and hopes, fears and imaginations as we have to this day - these people buried thousands of years ago should be treated in death with the same respect as those who passed over just last week.
There can be no 'time limit' on human remains ceasing to be the earthly remains of what was once a human. Human remains are human remains whether they died three thousand years, or three hours ago - they are still the remains of what was once a walking talking person and should be given the same due respect.
You would, I am sure be deeply offended, at the thought of the Druids (or any other religious sect) digging up your parents or your grandparents, in order to do some ancient rite, so why so alarmed or surprised when we are equally offended when you dig up 'our' ancient dead for your rites of study? When I speak of our ancestors I include you in the 'our' for that is what we are talking about and, in the case of Aubrey hole 7, perhaps the very founding fathers of this Nation.
We were not and are not against the 'testing' of such remains, but from the outset set out our belief that a sample would have been sufficient for such purposes. Nor were we against the study of these remains 'after the fact', but we soon realised that any extension was to be used as a ploy to await a change in/or amendment to the law, in order to allow museum retention.
To 'us' the removal of these ancestral remains is akin to the removal of the 'Holy relics' (the Saints bones) on which the Christian Cathedrals are built, but more than that it was and still is in our view a matter of common decency and respect.
Our Action
As I have said, this was never about 'our beliefs' but belief itself, and for that reason we started a petition, including on it a column for 'Religion' to show that this was not simply a Pagan or Druid issue but one of 'common decency' which members of all and no belief structure could agree with. We were joined by a large number of differing faiths who signed and agreed with our simple call "Let those we lay to rest - stay to rest".
The archaeologists have tried to muddy the waters by suggesting that in referring to these as the Ancestors we are claiming direct decent - we are not - and that in referring to them as 'The Guardians' that we are somehow claiming disempowerment of our Temple; that may be so, but we are not claiming it.
Mike Parker-Pearson, for whom I have the greatest respect both personally and professionally, has enhanced his professional career by his interpretation of Stonehenge as a site dedicated to the dead, and it therefore figures that an ancient circle of burial pits encircling the 'Henge' would have been placed there for some reason. Perhaps as a physical token of some belief structure, which in our interpretation would appear to be the placing of boundary Guardians, and in Mike's own interpretation "they were very important people, either a Royal line or the Priest caste". Maybe they were the builders or the architects of Stonehenge, as was claimed in proofs of evidence when applying for an extension of the licence.
Therein is the irony, for if the archaeologists would have us believe 'our temple' is a monument to the dead then surely taking the premier Dead away, takes from it its very reason for its existence and gives credence to the American tourist heard to say "It's just a pile of rocks". When is a burial ground or graveyard no longer a burial ground or graveyard? The answer is surely when the dead are no longer in situ.
Mike Pitts co-director of the 2008 dig said that I could not prove that the people whose cremated human remains encircled Stonehenge wanted to be interred there, to which I replied "no I could not, but someone wanted it so". Just as you cannot with any certainty prove anyone wished the Churchyard to be their final resting place, you can say with certainty that someone wished it to be so.
And, that is what it comes down to, the respect of the wishes or the belief structure of the dead. Respect for the dead. We have a higher animal consciousness, and our civilisation may in some degree be measured by our respect for the wishes of the 'loved ones' who cared enough to cremate or bury our Ancestors. We should honour their wishes and allow the dead to 'rest in peace' whatever their belief structure.
We may not know with any great degree of certainty what exactly their belief system was. We do know however, with some far greater certainty, that they, 'the Ancient Dead', did not leave their bodies to medical science and that their 'loved ones' assumed that they would 'lay' there in perpetuity and did not give their verbal or written consent to their removal for the purpose of scientific study.
There is something almost voyeur-like about viewing the dead in museums and much to say about the double standards we attribute to so called science. Imagine the outrage if we were to 'dig up' those who lay in our church yards and crematoriums, the recent dead, and put them on display as some work of art, 'Man in formaldehyde' without consent. Yet we seem to think it's perfectly acceptable to do so with the ancient dead, and to store them in dusty museum shelves in boxes. They were once people, whether they last walked this earth last year, last century or last millennium, and they should be treated with the same respect as those who last walked this earth last week.
As part of my campaign I asked three questions of the authorities, and it may be that your readership could give some consideration to answering them.
Double Standards
Why is it, if you were to put a Human skull atop a staff, you would be viewed as a barbarian, but put the same skull behind glass and you are viewed as a 'scientist'?
How is it, you get jailed for hanging off the cenotaph and applauded for 'digging up' the Ancestors at Stonehenge?
And why are 'the cremation pits' at Stonehenge allowed to be disturbed whilst those at Salisbury Crematorium are protected under British Law?
As yet they have not answered to my satisfaction.
The Way Forward
The archaeological community has to stop viewing 'us' and other similar pressure groups as the enemy and learn, as we will, to work together for a little 'give and take' from all sides.
The current legislation and the interpretation of it we all agree leaves a lot to be desired, and in my humble opinion the Judicial Review I sought would have given both sides better clarity. That was not to be, and Sheffield University engaged the services of the 'biggest' corporate law firm in the world to thwart my attempts to gain any such clarity.
So what now? Each side of the debate is expected to go 'cap in hand' to the Ministry each and every single time and ask "Please Mr can I have 'my' bones back?" and a new 'game' of Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust, if the Druids don't get them the Archaeologist must.
We have all seen how the Ministry will play one off against the other and rely on what? The opinions and wishes of current public opinion and the whims of the press as to which brand of morality they wish to champion at any given time. We have all witnessed the demonising of differing 'brands' of dog as tastes have changed and never a report of how many 'poodles' bit or savaged. So is that to be the battleground, the media and the social networking sites? I think not.
It would be far better for all parties to agree terms and unite against the bureaucratic tape that ties us all up and that serves no one save for the self serving politicians. And if we cannot agree terms, then let it be done through a court of law and let Justice be seen to be done.
And if the 'Fight' is to be settled by public opinion and through the Press, let us hope we can all put a rational point of view without animosity, as I believe I did in the following article:
'Who's Guarding the Guardians' (first appeared in The Western Daily Press)
"On the twenty ninth of August two thousand and eight, cremated Human remains were removed from Stonehenge, in a sad little tupperware box. They had originally been excavated from the 'Aubrey holes' encircling the Henge, between 1919 and 1926.
The chard fragments of bone where re-interred into one of the excavated pits, (Aubrey hole seven) in the 1930s and it was this cache that the archaeologists re-exhumed as part of the 'Riverside project' in 2008.
Pagans and Druids were asked to 'bless' the dig, but on learning that the archaeologists had no intention of returning the remains (referred to by the Pagans as the Guardians) to their resting place at Stonehenge, they refused. For, after all, as the archaeologists themselves asserted, they had laid there for thousands of years before their disturbance in the early twenties.
Enter King Arthur Pendragon, Frank Summers, and Kazz Smith, three Druids so appalled at the prospect of these ancient remains being permanently removed from the Sacred Site they had guarded since before time immemorial, that they set about challenging the decisions that allowed this unacceptable development.
Frank, as is his forte set about finding what right for redress, was provided to challenge under British Law, looking also into the funding of such projects and where pressure, if any, could be brought to bear.
Arthur and Kazz for their part took the message to the people as part of their 'Stonehenge Picket' for better access at Stonehenge. They also fired the first shot in their battle with the authorities, by invading the temple at night for a 'naked' Ritual. Vowing to fight for the Guardians return, a vow they would later renew at a full Druid ceremony Vernal equinox 2009, and again a year and a day later at Aubrey hole seven.
The morning after the 'naked Ritual' a meeting was hastily called, the senior archaeologists and disgruntled Druids attending with attendees from English Heritage who manage the site.
The archaeologists for their part put the case for retaining the remains for future research and informed the druids that they would apply for 'variance' to the existing order that allowed them two years for analysis.
The Druids for their part suggested retaining a sample for future analysis or looking into the possibility of reburial in air tight biodegradable plastic containers so, should forensics move on in the next century as the scientists would have us believe then they could be re exhumed, before returning to the earth. The archaeologists disagreed.
They did agree however (later to be put in writing) to inform the Druid, in good time to appeal, to the Department of Justice, who would be granting such an order. By all accounts a 'rubber stamp' formality.
The Stonehenge Picket came to a close after the government intervened with the promise of a new visitors centre and better access for all.
Still the Archaeologists insisted on retaining the remains for future testing, still the archaeologists refused to listen to the pleas' of Arthur, Frank and Kazz to return the guardians to what should have been their final resting place.
So, on the sixth of June 2009 the three Druids reinstated the Stonehenge Picket. Robed Druids, Banners flying, enlisting the support of, unsuspecting, and in the main, ill-informed, tourists.
Many archaeologists visited the 'Picket' and many came to agree with the Druids position, from Inspectors of scheduled monuments to Heads of Department, it is even rumoured that the co-director of the 'dig' in question is supporting a Druid 'Bring back the ancient Dead' badge. As are a number of English Heritage employees at Stonehenge and wider a field.
There is no great animosity between the two camps and the Druids are regularly updated on the progress made at the lab of Sheffield University where it has been ascertained that all were male and in relatively good health. All that remains now is to carbon date them and return them to the temple they once guarded according to the Druids petition.
To show this was and is not a purely Druid or Pagan issue religion was included on the petition aimed at the Department of Justice, who will decide as to whether or not the archaeologists may retain the remains permanently. Nationality was also included to show how widespread it was and is, this belief in what the Druids called 'common decency': "Let those we lay at rest - stay at rest" reads their banner.
They're still there, at Stonehenge, the Druids gathering signatures,
Agnostic, Anglican, Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Evangelist, Spiritualist, Druid, Hindu, Jew, signing along side Presbyterian, Unitarian, Taoist, Islam, Muslim, Sikh, to name but a few. People from every Nation and every faith agreeing without rank on this one issue. If only their leaders could see it the same (or should that be sane?) way.
It looks like the Druids have happened upon the Alchemical mix that could eventually lead to World Peace. Common Decency-respecting the Dead, the one thing WE can all agree on. It's a start..."
TO BE NOTED: In the event it was I (Arthur) and not Frank who sought redress under law and it is I that shall continue to do so until this situation is resolved.
Article can be read here
Battlechieftain, Council of British Druid Orders
Introduction
In 2008 ancient cremated human remains were re-exhumed from Aubrey Hole 7 at Stonehenge, licensed under the Burial Act of 1857 for a two-year period of study.
These remains had been removed previously from a number of the Aubrey Holes encircling the Temple/Monument of Stonehenge by the archaeologists of the day and replaced at a later date in one of the cremation pits that they had been removed from. We, the Council of British Druid Orders, the wider Pagan community, and My Order in particular were assured by the 'powers that be' that under the current legislation they would be returned to what was and should have remained, in our opinion, their final resting place encircling what we believe to be 'our' Premier Temple.
Moves by the archaeologists and their supporters were afoot to change or reinterpret this legislation as is set out in the paper above. And for this reason we, and my Order in particular, set about a legal challenge of our own. I for my part, two years later when a five-year extension was granted, sought a Judicial Review of the Ministry of Justice's decision to grant such an extension.
Our Reasoning
We do not consider ourselves, as do some of the archaeologists, as a 'new religion', but the re-emergence of a far older one. Pagan and the Druid Priest Caste are the indigenous beliefs of these Pre-Christian Isles. It is, however, not our belief structure that is in question here but 'Belief' itself. These People, and it should be remembered that when archaeologists talk about remains they are talking about the earthly remains of what were once people like you or I - walking talking folk with all the same needs and hopes, fears and imaginations as we have to this day - these people buried thousands of years ago should be treated in death with the same respect as those who passed over just last week.
There can be no 'time limit' on human remains ceasing to be the earthly remains of what was once a human. Human remains are human remains whether they died three thousand years, or three hours ago - they are still the remains of what was once a walking talking person and should be given the same due respect.
You would, I am sure be deeply offended, at the thought of the Druids (or any other religious sect) digging up your parents or your grandparents, in order to do some ancient rite, so why so alarmed or surprised when we are equally offended when you dig up 'our' ancient dead for your rites of study? When I speak of our ancestors I include you in the 'our' for that is what we are talking about and, in the case of Aubrey hole 7, perhaps the very founding fathers of this Nation.
We were not and are not against the 'testing' of such remains, but from the outset set out our belief that a sample would have been sufficient for such purposes. Nor were we against the study of these remains 'after the fact', but we soon realised that any extension was to be used as a ploy to await a change in/or amendment to the law, in order to allow museum retention.
To 'us' the removal of these ancestral remains is akin to the removal of the 'Holy relics' (the Saints bones) on which the Christian Cathedrals are built, but more than that it was and still is in our view a matter of common decency and respect.
Our Action
As I have said, this was never about 'our beliefs' but belief itself, and for that reason we started a petition, including on it a column for 'Religion' to show that this was not simply a Pagan or Druid issue but one of 'common decency' which members of all and no belief structure could agree with. We were joined by a large number of differing faiths who signed and agreed with our simple call "Let those we lay to rest - stay to rest".
The archaeologists have tried to muddy the waters by suggesting that in referring to these as the Ancestors we are claiming direct decent - we are not - and that in referring to them as 'The Guardians' that we are somehow claiming disempowerment of our Temple; that may be so, but we are not claiming it.
Mike Parker-Pearson, for whom I have the greatest respect both personally and professionally, has enhanced his professional career by his interpretation of Stonehenge as a site dedicated to the dead, and it therefore figures that an ancient circle of burial pits encircling the 'Henge' would have been placed there for some reason. Perhaps as a physical token of some belief structure, which in our interpretation would appear to be the placing of boundary Guardians, and in Mike's own interpretation "they were very important people, either a Royal line or the Priest caste". Maybe they were the builders or the architects of Stonehenge, as was claimed in proofs of evidence when applying for an extension of the licence.
Therein is the irony, for if the archaeologists would have us believe 'our temple' is a monument to the dead then surely taking the premier Dead away, takes from it its very reason for its existence and gives credence to the American tourist heard to say "It's just a pile of rocks". When is a burial ground or graveyard no longer a burial ground or graveyard? The answer is surely when the dead are no longer in situ.
Mike Pitts co-director of the 2008 dig said that I could not prove that the people whose cremated human remains encircled Stonehenge wanted to be interred there, to which I replied "no I could not, but someone wanted it so". Just as you cannot with any certainty prove anyone wished the Churchyard to be their final resting place, you can say with certainty that someone wished it to be so.
And, that is what it comes down to, the respect of the wishes or the belief structure of the dead. Respect for the dead. We have a higher animal consciousness, and our civilisation may in some degree be measured by our respect for the wishes of the 'loved ones' who cared enough to cremate or bury our Ancestors. We should honour their wishes and allow the dead to 'rest in peace' whatever their belief structure.
We may not know with any great degree of certainty what exactly their belief system was. We do know however, with some far greater certainty, that they, 'the Ancient Dead', did not leave their bodies to medical science and that their 'loved ones' assumed that they would 'lay' there in perpetuity and did not give their verbal or written consent to their removal for the purpose of scientific study.
There is something almost voyeur-like about viewing the dead in museums and much to say about the double standards we attribute to so called science. Imagine the outrage if we were to 'dig up' those who lay in our church yards and crematoriums, the recent dead, and put them on display as some work of art, 'Man in formaldehyde' without consent. Yet we seem to think it's perfectly acceptable to do so with the ancient dead, and to store them in dusty museum shelves in boxes. They were once people, whether they last walked this earth last year, last century or last millennium, and they should be treated with the same respect as those who last walked this earth last week.
As part of my campaign I asked three questions of the authorities, and it may be that your readership could give some consideration to answering them.
Double Standards
Why is it, if you were to put a Human skull atop a staff, you would be viewed as a barbarian, but put the same skull behind glass and you are viewed as a 'scientist'?
How is it, you get jailed for hanging off the cenotaph and applauded for 'digging up' the Ancestors at Stonehenge?
And why are 'the cremation pits' at Stonehenge allowed to be disturbed whilst those at Salisbury Crematorium are protected under British Law?
As yet they have not answered to my satisfaction.
The Way Forward
The archaeological community has to stop viewing 'us' and other similar pressure groups as the enemy and learn, as we will, to work together for a little 'give and take' from all sides.
The current legislation and the interpretation of it we all agree leaves a lot to be desired, and in my humble opinion the Judicial Review I sought would have given both sides better clarity. That was not to be, and Sheffield University engaged the services of the 'biggest' corporate law firm in the world to thwart my attempts to gain any such clarity.
So what now? Each side of the debate is expected to go 'cap in hand' to the Ministry each and every single time and ask "Please Mr can I have 'my' bones back?" and a new 'game' of Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust, if the Druids don't get them the Archaeologist must.
We have all seen how the Ministry will play one off against the other and rely on what? The opinions and wishes of current public opinion and the whims of the press as to which brand of morality they wish to champion at any given time. We have all witnessed the demonising of differing 'brands' of dog as tastes have changed and never a report of how many 'poodles' bit or savaged. So is that to be the battleground, the media and the social networking sites? I think not.
It would be far better for all parties to agree terms and unite against the bureaucratic tape that ties us all up and that serves no one save for the self serving politicians. And if we cannot agree terms, then let it be done through a court of law and let Justice be seen to be done.
And if the 'Fight' is to be settled by public opinion and through the Press, let us hope we can all put a rational point of view without animosity, as I believe I did in the following article:
'Who's Guarding the Guardians' (first appeared in The Western Daily Press)
"On the twenty ninth of August two thousand and eight, cremated Human remains were removed from Stonehenge, in a sad little tupperware box. They had originally been excavated from the 'Aubrey holes' encircling the Henge, between 1919 and 1926.
The chard fragments of bone where re-interred into one of the excavated pits, (Aubrey hole seven) in the 1930s and it was this cache that the archaeologists re-exhumed as part of the 'Riverside project' in 2008.
Pagans and Druids were asked to 'bless' the dig, but on learning that the archaeologists had no intention of returning the remains (referred to by the Pagans as the Guardians) to their resting place at Stonehenge, they refused. For, after all, as the archaeologists themselves asserted, they had laid there for thousands of years before their disturbance in the early twenties.
Enter King Arthur Pendragon, Frank Summers, and Kazz Smith, three Druids so appalled at the prospect of these ancient remains being permanently removed from the Sacred Site they had guarded since before time immemorial, that they set about challenging the decisions that allowed this unacceptable development.
Frank, as is his forte set about finding what right for redress, was provided to challenge under British Law, looking also into the funding of such projects and where pressure, if any, could be brought to bear.
Arthur and Kazz for their part took the message to the people as part of their 'Stonehenge Picket' for better access at Stonehenge. They also fired the first shot in their battle with the authorities, by invading the temple at night for a 'naked' Ritual. Vowing to fight for the Guardians return, a vow they would later renew at a full Druid ceremony Vernal equinox 2009, and again a year and a day later at Aubrey hole seven.
The morning after the 'naked Ritual' a meeting was hastily called, the senior archaeologists and disgruntled Druids attending with attendees from English Heritage who manage the site.
The archaeologists for their part put the case for retaining the remains for future research and informed the druids that they would apply for 'variance' to the existing order that allowed them two years for analysis.
The Druids for their part suggested retaining a sample for future analysis or looking into the possibility of reburial in air tight biodegradable plastic containers so, should forensics move on in the next century as the scientists would have us believe then they could be re exhumed, before returning to the earth. The archaeologists disagreed.
They did agree however (later to be put in writing) to inform the Druid, in good time to appeal, to the Department of Justice, who would be granting such an order. By all accounts a 'rubber stamp' formality.
The Stonehenge Picket came to a close after the government intervened with the promise of a new visitors centre and better access for all.
Still the Archaeologists insisted on retaining the remains for future testing, still the archaeologists refused to listen to the pleas' of Arthur, Frank and Kazz to return the guardians to what should have been their final resting place.
So, on the sixth of June 2009 the three Druids reinstated the Stonehenge Picket. Robed Druids, Banners flying, enlisting the support of, unsuspecting, and in the main, ill-informed, tourists.
Many archaeologists visited the 'Picket' and many came to agree with the Druids position, from Inspectors of scheduled monuments to Heads of Department, it is even rumoured that the co-director of the 'dig' in question is supporting a Druid 'Bring back the ancient Dead' badge. As are a number of English Heritage employees at Stonehenge and wider a field.
There is no great animosity between the two camps and the Druids are regularly updated on the progress made at the lab of Sheffield University where it has been ascertained that all were male and in relatively good health. All that remains now is to carbon date them and return them to the temple they once guarded according to the Druids petition.
To show this was and is not a purely Druid or Pagan issue religion was included on the petition aimed at the Department of Justice, who will decide as to whether or not the archaeologists may retain the remains permanently. Nationality was also included to show how widespread it was and is, this belief in what the Druids called 'common decency': "Let those we lay at rest - stay at rest" reads their banner.
They're still there, at Stonehenge, the Druids gathering signatures,
Agnostic, Anglican, Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Evangelist, Spiritualist, Druid, Hindu, Jew, signing along side Presbyterian, Unitarian, Taoist, Islam, Muslim, Sikh, to name but a few. People from every Nation and every faith agreeing without rank on this one issue. If only their leaders could see it the same (or should that be sane?) way.
It looks like the Druids have happened upon the Alchemical mix that could eventually lead to World Peace. Common Decency-respecting the Dead, the one thing WE can all agree on. It's a start..."
TO BE NOTED: In the event it was I (Arthur) and not Frank who sought redress under law and it is I that shall continue to do so until this situation is resolved.
Article can be read here
26th August 2008
A blessing of the archaeological dig at Stonehenge was due to commence. However, the evening before, Arthur had been tipped off that the dig manager had no intention of returning the human remains to the grave once fully researched. All the druid orders who had turned up to attend the blessing joined together to object and refused to do the blessing. The large circle of approx 200 people of all faiths, stood united and called for the bones to be returned to Stonehenge once the dig had finished.
Several newspapers publish articles written by Arthur regarding "The Giant Grave robbers"
Many other groups protested to have the bones returned… no answer has been forthcoming…… the countdown has ended, time for lift off and phase two of the Stonehenge picket! Pictures on Picket Pics page
Several newspapers publish articles written by Arthur regarding "The Giant Grave robbers"
Many other groups protested to have the bones returned… no answer has been forthcoming…… the countdown has ended, time for lift off and phase two of the Stonehenge picket! Pictures on Picket Pics page
D DAY IS DRUID DAY - PRESS RELEASE
MID-DAY, 6TH JUNE 2009
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
STONEHENGE
Senior Druids, King Arthur Pendragon and Frank Somers will be present at the Stonehenge visitor centre to launch a new campaign for the return to Stonehenge of the ancestors removed last year from Aubrey Hole 7 by the Riverside Project under the direction of Mike Parker Pearson.
These ancestors disturbed from their rest twice now by archaeologists are claimed by Mike Parker Pearson to most likely be of the royal line of ancient Britain from the period when Stonehenge was first constructed as a monument to them, the ancient dead.
Arthur first picketed Stonehenge in 1990 and after a lengthy (fourteen year) campaign and a European Court case, helped the free and open access for the Summer Solstice. He returned in June of last year and helped to raise awareness for the desperate need for a new visitor centre at Stonehenge, the present facility being a national disgrace condemned by UNESCO.
Frank has been a leader among the Stonehenge Druids for several years and is noted for his positive approach leaning towards co-operation with archaeologists and authorities rather than protest. He officiated as senior Druid at both the Wainwright and Darvill digs and some of the Riverside project digs in 2007.
Both Frank and Arthur believe that it is the honourable and decent thing to do to return these ancestors to the earth, back in Stonehenge where they came from and where they belong. They argue that Stonehenge would be an empty place without these ancestors who are still revered today by many modern pagans as ancestral spirits and guardians.
For more information on this campaign please see the dedicated section on the Stonehenge Druids website www.stonehengedruids.org/news1 or the Loyal Arthurian Warband website www.warband.org.uk
Arthur has vowed to be present at Stonehenge until the ancient cremated human remains of the Guardians are returned and re-interred. He says "The 65th anniversary of D Day is an auspicious occasion to start this particular battle, as the principle architect of operation Overlord, (The D Day landings) Winston Churchill, was himself a Druid.
You don't have to be a Pagan or a Druid to believe in common decency. There is something almost voyeur-like about looking at Human remains behind glass. No let those we lay at rest, stay at rest."
Frank says "If it is our civilization for which these people provided the foundations, we now owe them nothing less than to show them that our civilization today hasn't lost its ability to honour its ancestors. I would like to see them reburied with full pagan honours as 'ancestors and with state representation as befitting royalty of the ancient Britons. That would be the right thing to do. It would be an act of compassion and respect"
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
STONEHENGE
Senior Druids, King Arthur Pendragon and Frank Somers will be present at the Stonehenge visitor centre to launch a new campaign for the return to Stonehenge of the ancestors removed last year from Aubrey Hole 7 by the Riverside Project under the direction of Mike Parker Pearson.
These ancestors disturbed from their rest twice now by archaeologists are claimed by Mike Parker Pearson to most likely be of the royal line of ancient Britain from the period when Stonehenge was first constructed as a monument to them, the ancient dead.
Arthur first picketed Stonehenge in 1990 and after a lengthy (fourteen year) campaign and a European Court case, helped the free and open access for the Summer Solstice. He returned in June of last year and helped to raise awareness for the desperate need for a new visitor centre at Stonehenge, the present facility being a national disgrace condemned by UNESCO.
Frank has been a leader among the Stonehenge Druids for several years and is noted for his positive approach leaning towards co-operation with archaeologists and authorities rather than protest. He officiated as senior Druid at both the Wainwright and Darvill digs and some of the Riverside project digs in 2007.
Both Frank and Arthur believe that it is the honourable and decent thing to do to return these ancestors to the earth, back in Stonehenge where they came from and where they belong. They argue that Stonehenge would be an empty place without these ancestors who are still revered today by many modern pagans as ancestral spirits and guardians.
For more information on this campaign please see the dedicated section on the Stonehenge Druids website www.stonehengedruids.org/news1 or the Loyal Arthurian Warband website www.warband.org.uk
Arthur has vowed to be present at Stonehenge until the ancient cremated human remains of the Guardians are returned and re-interred. He says "The 65th anniversary of D Day is an auspicious occasion to start this particular battle, as the principle architect of operation Overlord, (The D Day landings) Winston Churchill, was himself a Druid.
You don't have to be a Pagan or a Druid to believe in common decency. There is something almost voyeur-like about looking at Human remains behind glass. No let those we lay at rest, stay at rest."
Frank says "If it is our civilization for which these people provided the foundations, we now owe them nothing less than to show them that our civilization today hasn't lost its ability to honour its ancestors. I would like to see them reburied with full pagan honours as 'ancestors and with state representation as befitting royalty of the ancient Britons. That would be the right thing to do. It would be an act of compassion and respect"
PRESS RELEASE
Hail!
I can forgive anyone who turns their back on me. I can forgive anyone who turns their back on CoBDO. What I can not and will not forgive is anyone who turns their backs on the Guardians of Stonehenge. I will accept nothing less than your full support for my renewed campaign for their return.
Blessed Be.
Arthur /|\
I can forgive anyone who turns their back on me. I can forgive anyone who turns their back on CoBDO. What I can not and will not forgive is anyone who turns their backs on the Guardians of Stonehenge. I will accept nothing less than your full support for my renewed campaign for their return.
Blessed Be.
Arthur /|\
ROLL OF HONOUR - 3RD BATTALION, STONEHENGE IRREGULARS
An open letter from the Stonehenge Picket:
Campaigning for the return of our ancestors remains
Lammas 2009
A big thank you to all those who have bought a badge to support the new Stonehenge Picket, and the Arch Druids of Avebury, Cotswold and Glastonbury for their support.
And a big thank you to the members of the following Pagan and Druid Groups for signing our petition:
- The Druid Order - London
- Dobunni Grove - (Bristol) OBOD
- The Cotswold Order of Druids
- The Washington Witches - USA
- S.W.O.R.D - Avebury
- The Circle of Pagans - Liverpool
And a Huge thank you to all the members of other faiths that have signed our petition. "All Hail the irregulars, who back our cause from the following Faiths."
Agnostic
Anglican
Atheist
Asatru
Baptist
Buddhist
Catholic
Celtic Christian
Church of England
Church of Latterday Saints
Christian
Druid
Eastern Orthodox
Earth Centred
Eclectic
Episcopal
Evangelical
Goddess
Hari Krishna
Herbalist
Hermetic
Hindu
Islam
Jewish
Jedi
Kabala
Lutheran
Methodist
Muslim
Nilest
Non-denominational
None
Oglala
Orthodox
Pagan
Pantheist
Pentecostal
Presbyterian
Protestant
Quaker
Roman Catholic
Scientologist
Sikh
Southern Baptist
Spiritualist
Taoist
Unitarian
Wiccan
Witch
Zoroastrian
Many thanks to one and all and may your Gods look favourably upon you…..
Campaigning for the return of our ancestors remains
Lammas 2009
A big thank you to all those who have bought a badge to support the new Stonehenge Picket, and the Arch Druids of Avebury, Cotswold and Glastonbury for their support.
And a big thank you to the members of the following Pagan and Druid Groups for signing our petition:
- The Druid Order - London
- Dobunni Grove - (Bristol) OBOD
- The Cotswold Order of Druids
- The Washington Witches - USA
- S.W.O.R.D - Avebury
- The Circle of Pagans - Liverpool
And a Huge thank you to all the members of other faiths that have signed our petition. "All Hail the irregulars, who back our cause from the following Faiths."
Agnostic
Anglican
Atheist
Asatru
Baptist
Buddhist
Catholic
Celtic Christian
Church of England
Church of Latterday Saints
Christian
Druid
Eastern Orthodox
Earth Centred
Eclectic
Episcopal
Evangelical
Goddess
Hari Krishna
Herbalist
Hermetic
Hindu
Islam
Jewish
Jedi
Kabala
Lutheran
Methodist
Muslim
Nilest
Non-denominational
None
Oglala
Orthodox
Pagan
Pantheist
Pentecostal
Presbyterian
Protestant
Quaker
Roman Catholic
Scientologist
Sikh
Southern Baptist
Spiritualist
Taoist
Unitarian
Wiccan
Witch
Zoroastrian
Many thanks to one and all and may your Gods look favourably upon you…..
JOHN GLEN MP LETTER
King Arthur Pendragon
Titular Head and Chosen Chief
Loyal Arthurian Warbands
L /|\ W
www.warband.org.uk
John Glen MP
(Salisbury)
3rd July 2010
Re: your letter of 2nd July 2010
Ref /LL/Stonehenge
Hail John,
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
I find the Ministers response wholly unacceptable and quite frankly an insult to my (if not your) intelligence. He has failed to reassure me over a single point and has in fact told me nothing I did not know, save the duration of the extension to the licence sought, which mysteriously has gone from two to five years since I was informed of the original application by both Sheffield University and his Dept'.
In his sixth, and repeated in your second paragraph he asserts that due consideration will be given to any opposition to the deferring re-interment. His Dept' have however said all along that there is no mechanism in place for the stating of any such opposition.
Who then speaks for The Great British Ancestors? And what right of address and recourse do they have?
Quoting, from a flawed survey by EH he states as fact that the Great British public are behind the scientific community (which it self is split on this issue). What then of the thousands of signatories to our petition, who speaks for them?
When we met over this issue, I went to some lengths to explain how reasonable we had been throughout our campaign and how we had gained the respect of a large section of the Scientific community and members of many differing faiths and Nations, and how this was an International issue of some importance.
So, I ask again, who speaks for the Great British Ancestors?
Not the Dept' of Justice, Not English Heritage and Not Sheffield University.
I hold them equally culpable for the wonton vandalisation and Desecration of a world Heritage site and vehemently oppose any extension to the terms of the current licence.
I see it as the Druids duty to speak for the Great British Ancestors and will, in concert with my colleges seek redress from the decision making policy that allows this unacceptable position to continue.
This is, as I have said a World wide issue and believe me, it is now my intention to bring it to the attention of the worlds press.
I thank you again for your assistance in this matter and would ask that you pass my comments on to the Minister with some urgency as the clock is very much ticking on the expiry of the original licence, and I fear the Dept' of Justice compounding the problem and leaving me with no option other than that of legal redress, through Judicial review, UNESCO and the European Court.
Arthur Pendragon
Battlechieftain
Council of British Druid Orders
Cc by email:
CoBDO
Stonehenge Druids
English Heritage
Sheffield University
Dept' of Justice
Legal Dept' LAW
Press Office LAW
Titular Head and Chosen Chief
Loyal Arthurian Warbands
L /|\ W
www.warband.org.uk
John Glen MP
(Salisbury)
3rd July 2010
Re: your letter of 2nd July 2010
Ref /LL/Stonehenge
Hail John,
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
I find the Ministers response wholly unacceptable and quite frankly an insult to my (if not your) intelligence. He has failed to reassure me over a single point and has in fact told me nothing I did not know, save the duration of the extension to the licence sought, which mysteriously has gone from two to five years since I was informed of the original application by both Sheffield University and his Dept'.
In his sixth, and repeated in your second paragraph he asserts that due consideration will be given to any opposition to the deferring re-interment. His Dept' have however said all along that there is no mechanism in place for the stating of any such opposition.
Who then speaks for The Great British Ancestors? And what right of address and recourse do they have?
Quoting, from a flawed survey by EH he states as fact that the Great British public are behind the scientific community (which it self is split on this issue). What then of the thousands of signatories to our petition, who speaks for them?
When we met over this issue, I went to some lengths to explain how reasonable we had been throughout our campaign and how we had gained the respect of a large section of the Scientific community and members of many differing faiths and Nations, and how this was an International issue of some importance.
So, I ask again, who speaks for the Great British Ancestors?
Not the Dept' of Justice, Not English Heritage and Not Sheffield University.
I hold them equally culpable for the wonton vandalisation and Desecration of a world Heritage site and vehemently oppose any extension to the terms of the current licence.
I see it as the Druids duty to speak for the Great British Ancestors and will, in concert with my colleges seek redress from the decision making policy that allows this unacceptable position to continue.
This is, as I have said a World wide issue and believe me, it is now my intention to bring it to the attention of the worlds press.
I thank you again for your assistance in this matter and would ask that you pass my comments on to the Minister with some urgency as the clock is very much ticking on the expiry of the original licence, and I fear the Dept' of Justice compounding the problem and leaving me with no option other than that of legal redress, through Judicial review, UNESCO and the European Court.
Arthur Pendragon
Battlechieftain
Council of British Druid Orders
Cc by email:
CoBDO
Stonehenge Druids
English Heritage
Sheffield University
Dept' of Justice
Legal Dept' LAW
Press Office LAW
