专题限时训练(三十三) [文化教育型阅读理解(二)]
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(一)
Human remains of ancient settlements will be reburied and lost to science under a law that threatens research into the history of humans in Britain, a group of leading archeologists (考古学家) say. In a letter addressed to the justice secretary, Ken Clarke, 40 archaeologists write of their “deep and widespread concern” about the issue. It centres on the law introduced by the Ministry of Justice in 2008 which requires all human remains unearthed in England and Wales to be reburied within two years, regardless of their age. The decision means scientists have too little time to study bones and other human remains of national and cultural significance.
“Your current requirement that all archaeologically unearthed human remains should be reburied, whether after a standard period of two years or a further special extension, is contrary to basic principles of archaeological and scientific research and of museum practice，” they write.
The law applies to any pieces of bone uncovered at around 400 dig sites, including the remains of bodies found at Stonehenge in 2008 that date back to 3，000 BC.Archaeologists have been granted a temporary extension to give them more time, but eventually the bones will have to be returned to the ground.
