TO THE scientists who study them, they are a priceless treasure trove that should be preserved at all costs. To indigenous groups in Australia, New Zealand and the US, they are the remains of ancestors, purloined by British imperialists and overdue for repatriation. So which camp should decide the fate of the large collections of bones held in British museums?
Now that a UK government report has concluded that control should rest with the aboriginal groups, many anthropologists will inevitably feel that their science has been sacrificed on the altar of post-colonial guilt (see “Experts squabble over ancient bones”).…
