Hello Jeremy,
Siobhan Lavelle (historic cemetery specialist), Denise Donlon (physical
anthropologist) and I (excavator of historic burials and author of
Conservation Plan and Conservation Policy documents for the Old Roman
Catholic Cemetery, Woollongong c.1830-1866) are preparing Guidelines for
the Heritage Office of NSW on the Management of Human Remains under the
Heritage Act 1977 (ie non prehistoric).  We have prepared a draft report
which I can send you if you like.  I have sent it to Hester Davis and
Leslie Eisenberg in the US who have sent very helpful comments, also Vince
Russett in the UK. There are many issues and protocols to consider. Our
Guidelines are for archaeologists, cemetery managers, descendants, state
archaeologists, heritage advisors, and anyone else who has to deal with the
issue of the excavation of historic period human remains. This includes
historic Aboriginal burials.  We disuss all these matters in our Draft.
There is a possibility that the Federal Dept of Environment and the Arts
may engage us to adapt and prepare the Guidelines for Australia-wide use. I
am following this up with Cath Snelgrove, senior archaeologist at the
Heritage Office NSW.
I was thinking about human remains on historic shipwrecks when reading on
this list about the excavation of the Belle in the US. The archaeologist
mentions a skeleton, but he hasn't referred to any legislation and/or
protocols which he is following in relation to it. I know that in the US
and here each state has different heritage legislation and that we have a
Federal shipwrecks act. The first thing you should do is read the WA
Heritage, Public Health, and Coroner's Acts and see what they say. Regards,
Annie
 
 Anne Bickford Heritage Consultants
135 Catherine St. Leichhardt NSW 2040
         Sydney Australia
Ph:02/95699672   Fax: 02/95500261