Allow me to add some details...
A (widened) trial-trench was put into the ground adjacent to the former church to a lunatic asylum. The purpose was to assess the density and survival of unmarked graves. It was never intended to lift the skeletons at this stage of investigation. On the advice of an independent osteoarcheologist, and approved by the county archaeologist, the graves were covered with canvas and fencing until specialist acid free coverings could be delivered (deemed nessecary only once the skeletons had neen exposed and assessed). The graves had temporary covers for 3-4 weeks, not two or several months. They were never visible to the public and the approved materials have been now been delivered and used.
Now, Reg and Bee Holles-Perkes happen to live next door in the million pound house and object to the development of more million pound houses, a fact they made abundantly clear during works. So after the archaeologists left they illegally entered the site through the perimeter fence, removed all the temporary (and secure) coverings and snapped away before inviting the local rag in, after which did they replace the coverings...did they hell.
The site is acutally very interesting relating to the asylum, and it has not yet been decided whether full excavation will go ahead or not by the county mountie. Ironically this is one of the most closely regulated TTs i've seen, and although i've seen people cut corners in the past, this was done to the absolute letter! Its actually quite scary how this story was reported, distorted and then escalated.
!!!
A (widened) trial-trench was put into the ground adjacent to the former church to a lunatic asylum. The purpose was to assess the density and survival of unmarked graves. It was never intended to lift the skeletons at this stage of investigation. On the advice of an independent osteoarcheologist, and approved by the county archaeologist, the graves were covered with canvas and fencing until specialist acid free coverings could be delivered (deemed nessecary only once the skeletons had neen exposed and assessed). The graves had temporary covers for 3-4 weeks, not two or several months. They were never visible to the public and the approved materials have been now been delivered and used.
Now, Reg and Bee Holles-Perkes happen to live next door in the million pound house and object to the development of more million pound houses, a fact they made abundantly clear during works. So after the archaeologists left they illegally entered the site through the perimeter fence, removed all the temporary (and secure) coverings and snapped away before inviting the local rag in, after which did they replace the coverings...did they hell.
The site is acutally very interesting relating to the asylum, and it has not yet been decided whether full excavation will go ahead or not by the county mountie. Ironically this is one of the most closely regulated TTs i've seen, and although i've seen people cut corners in the past, this was done to the absolute letter! Its actually quite scary how this story was reported, distorted and then escalated.
!!!