The purpose of this paper is to examine the issue on how ancient human remains are or should be handled and dealt with from an ethical and archaeological perspective. This management has previously been based on what we today call racial biology, which shows how these issues have been neglected and assumed less worthy when it comes to how to treat indigenous people. In museums, archives, universities and medical institutions there are currently bone materials that science and indigenous people claim ownership of in different ways. Indigenous people believe that their ancestors have the right to rest in peace while science deems that human remains should be observed in order to preserve the past and monitor the future with the help of prehistoric knowledge. For a deeper understanding of how reburials and repatriation works, three case studies are presented. Two of these case studies are completed reburials, and the third case study is an ongoing process since 1949. In this paper a hermeneutic approach which is used to explain why human remains are the key to future studies, without involving our personal opinions.

The purpose of this essay is to investigate two different cases of reburial of Sámi human remains in Sweden, these being the reburial of Soejvengeele “the shadow man” in Tärnaby 2002, whose grave was excavated in 1950 by ethnologist Ernst Manker. The second case consist of the reburial in Lycksele 2019 of human remains of about 25 individuals which were excavated in 1950-51 by Västerbottens museum under the guidance of Karl Cajmatz. The essay aims to recognize the differences and similarities in how the cases have been handled by the authorities, museums and organisations involved. Another aim of this paper is to navigate the discourse regarding questions of ethical research of indigenous human remains, and what role archaeology has played in the historical context of power imbalance between the Sámi indigenous society and the Swedish State.

<p><em> </em></p><p>Excavations of human skeletal remains are sometimes followed by claims for reburial from the local community. This has led to debates between researchers and other elements of society, churches or minorities. This scientific paper sat out to examine the discussions and debates found in Sweden (Scandinavia), with the situation in Vanuatu, (Melanesia). The objective was to elucidate similarities and differences in people’s attitude when it comes to reburial. Religious beliefs, legislations and policies were compared to provide explanations for the different attitudes in the two countries. The study showed that the debates found in the Swedish material such as conflicts between researchers and the church or between the Saami population and Swedish researchers, haven’t got a counterpart in Vanuatu. This was much due to the research policies in Vanuatu and the strong Christian faith.</p> / <p><em> </em></p><p>Fynd av mänskliga kvarlevor i samband med utgrävningar följs ibland av krav på återbegravning från det lokala samhället. Detta har lett till debatter mellan forskare och andra delar av samhället, kyrkan eller minoriteter. Denna C-uppsats har försökt undersöka diskussionerna och debatterna som framkommit i Sverige (Skandinavien) och Vanuatu (Melanesien). Målet var att belysa likheter och skillnader hos människors inställning när det kommer till återbegravning. Religion, lagstiftning och policys jämfördes för att förklara de olika inställningarna i de två länderna. Studien visade att debatterna mellan kyrkan och forskarna eller den Samiska befolkningen och forskarna inte hade en motsvarighet i Vanuatu. Detta var mycket tack vare Vanuatus forskningspolicy och den starka kristna tron i landet.</p>

Excavations of human skeletal remains are sometimes followed by claims for reburial from the local community. This has led to debates between researchers and other elements of society, churches or minorities. This scientific paper sat out to examine the discussions and debates found in Sweden (Scandinavia), with the situation in Vanuatu, (Melanesia). The objective was to elucidate similarities and differences in people’s attitude when it comes to reburial. Religious beliefs, legislations and policies were compared to provide explanations for the different attitudes in the two countries. The study showed that the debates found in the Swedish material such as conflicts between researchers and the church or between the Saami population and Swedish researchers, haven’t got a counterpart in Vanuatu. This was much due to the research policies in Vanuatu and the strong Christian faith. / Fynd av mänskliga kvarlevor i samband med utgrävningar följs ibland av krav på återbegravning från det lokala samhället. Detta har lett till debatter mellan forskare och andra delar av samhället, kyrkan eller minoriteter. Denna C-uppsats har försökt undersöka diskussionerna och debatterna som framkommit i Sverige (Skandinavien) och Vanuatu (Melanesien). Målet var att belysa likheter och skillnader hos människors inställning när det kommer till återbegravning. Religion, lagstiftning och policys jämfördes för att förklara de olika inställningarna i de två länderna. Studien visade att debatterna mellan kyrkan och forskarna eller den Samiska befolkningen och forskarna inte hade en motsvarighet i Vanuatu. Detta var mycket tack vare Vanuatus forskningspolicy och den starka kristna tron i landet.