Rather than needlessly upsetting a sizeable proportion of global visitors to the new Stonehenge Visitor Centre that will inevitably be offended by a display of human remains, let alone the spectacle being posed disrespectfully upright like a titillating prop in a fairground Ghost Train,….
…. wouldn’t it be simpler (and cheaper) to purchase Budget Bucky? for £182.75 ?
P. S. – Buying Bucky might have another advantage as well. The new “Stonehenge Social Media Content Executive” (part of whose job will be to help manage “the reputation of the English Heritage brand”) may find life a lot easier!
The Heritage Journal 
9 comments
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28/09/2013 at 13:03
stonehengenews
Reblogged this on Stonehenge News and Information.
28/09/2013 at 13:58
Ann Smith
Who are the sizeable proportion you lot keep harping on about – prove it!
28/09/2013 at 17:35
Claire Carter
let those who lay to rest stay to rest!!!
28/09/2013 at 19:47
heritageaction
We can’t prove it, we just feel that out of 1.1 million people a year, mostly from overseas, there will be many who feel it inappropriate.
30/09/2013 at 08:41
Hodekin1
There’s a lot of supposition about how people might “feel,” assuming people will find offence at every opportunity these days. What a world! “Disrespect” is banded about with abandon, often by minority groups who in fact cause disrespect, and disrespect others views who do not fall into part of their mindset.
Without trying to inflame, we need to get a grip!
Displaying a skeleton upright, granted, is a wrong move. I’m surprised and a little shocked. I thought it just might be more misinformation to further put the cat amongst the pigeons. Sadly it seems not.
I am not against the displaying of ancient remains in context, but I do consider it a bold and slightly unwise move, given the vocality of a small number of people. Surely a lot of visitors don’t care or wouldn’t even notice if it was real of replica. After all, people have been visiting Wiltshire Museum for years. Although they are upfront in showing that their gold work is a copy, I’m sure many go away none the wiser.
30/09/2013 at 08:51
heritageaction
We trust you aren’t implying we post misinformation to put the cat amongst the pigeons. We most certainly don’t!
Please understand we aren’t part of the small minority that is against this display. All we have suggested is that it is a tactical error. You say youself it is “a wrong move” so we are in agreement.
02/10/2013 at 13:55
Wilt
What are they trying to achieve with an upright skeleton?
02/10/2013 at 14:06
heritageaction
There’s some reference to an explanation here
http://stonehenge-ancestors-quest.co.uk/prehistoric-ancestor-displayed-at-stonehenge-by-english-heritage-standing-upright/
“Very little is known about the way this man was buried. He will be displayed in a case which describes the pre-Stonehenge landscape and monuments. He will be shown upright”
!!
02/10/2013 at 14:39
Wilt
Horizontal = Archaeological
Vertical = Anatomical