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 archaeologists(考古学家) says. In a letter addressed to the justice secretary, Ken Clarke, 40 archaeologists write of their “deep and widespread concern” about the issue. It centers 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 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 60 or so 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.
The arrangements may result in the waste of future discoveries at sites such as Happisburgh in Norfolk, where digging is continuing after the discovery of stone tools made by early humans 950,000 years ago. If human remains were found at Happisburgh, they would be the oldest in northern Europe and the first indication of what this species was. Under the current practice of the law those remains would have to be reburied and effectively destroyed.
Before 2008, guidelines allowed for the proper preservation and study of bones of sufficient age and historical interest, while the Burial Act 1857 applied to more recent remains. The Ministry of Justice assured archaeologists two years ago that the law was temporary, but has so far failed to revise it.
Mike Parker Pearson, an archaeologist at Sheffield University, said: “Archaeologists have been extremely patient because we were led to believe the ministry was sorting out this problem, but we feel that we cannot wait any longer.”
The ministry has no guidelines on where or how remains should be reburied, or on what records should be kept.
【小题1】According to the passage, scientists are unhappy with the law mainly because .A．it is only a temporary measure on the human remainsB．it is unreasonable and thus destructive to scientific researchC．it was introduced by the government without their knowledgeD．it is vague about where and how to rebury human remains【小题2】Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?A．Temporary extension of two years will guarantee scientists enough time.B．Human remains of the oldest species were dug out at Happisburgh.C．Human remains will have to be reburied despite the extension of time.D．Scientists have been warned that the law can hardly be changed.【小题3】What can be inferred about the British law governing human remains?A．The Ministry of Justice did not intend it to protect human remains.B．The Burial Act 1857 only applied to remains uncovered before 1857.C．The law on human remains hasn’t changed in recent decades.D．The Ministry of Justice has not done enough about the law.【小题4】Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?A．New discoveries should be reburied, the government demands.B．Research time should be extended, scientists require.C．Law on human remains needs thorough discussion, authorities say.D．Law could bury ancient secrets for ever, archaeologists warn.B
网友回答
(答案→)B
解析：本文是一篇关于考古话题的议论文。英国法律规定出土的文物要重新埋入地下，考古学家们认为这对考古工作是有害的。
【小题1】归纳总结题。根据文章第二段和第四段可知考古学家们认为此项法律是不合理的，对考古工作也是有破坏性的，故选B。
【小题2】细节理解题。根据第三段第二句Archaeologists have been granted a temporary extension to give them more time, but eventually the bones will have to be returned to the ground.虽然时间延长了，但是这些人类的遗骸还是要被重新埋起来，可知C项正确；根据第三段第二句可知A项说法错误；由第四段可知B项说法错误；文章没有提到D项所叙说内容。
【小题3】判断推理题。由文章最后一段The ministry has no guidelines on where or how remains should be reburied, or on what records should be kept.可推出司法部还没有对法律做出明确的规定，D项说法正确；A项说法与文章内容相悖；由第五段可知B项中的副词only绝对化了，不正确；C项中的in recent decades说法有误。选D。
【小题4】主旨大意题。从文章第一段的句子：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 archaeologists(考古学家) says. 可知法律要求出土的文物要重新被埋入地下，为此很多古代的秘密就不为人知了，故选D。