Museums may lose bones

Ancient human remains held in British museums could be returned to their country of origin for burial under proposed new legislation.

The Human Remains Working Group, set up by the Department of Media Culture and Sport, has recommended changes to the law which will force museums to send back old bones that date from up to half a million years ago.

Museum sources say more than 20,000 items - many of them used for scientific research - may have to be returned.

Presently, the National History Museum Act, which governs museums holding human remains, prevents collections being returned or broken up.

However, mounting pressure from the working committee made up of lawyers, museum professionals, but only one scientist, recommends the repatriation should be overseen by a panel of "independent experts".

Fears are growing that extensive-collections particularly at the Natural History Museum, which includes 400 Aboriginal specimens, could be decimated.

Director Sir Neil Chambers said: "It would be a great loss. These remains are essential components to understanding the origin of human variety and our diverse abilities in combating disease."