as someone interested in anthropology it's an inner struggle... at what point in time is it okay to disturb remains in the interests of learning?

i went to the bog people display a few years ago. the setting was somber, reminding you that you were in the presence of human remains and to respect that. the conditions in the bog preserve amazing details. tollund man lived 2000 years ago but you can still see the stubble on his chin.

i don't know the answer. it's facinating to learn how they came to their deaths and the manner in which they lived... 2000 years ago or 500 years ago. but it's also facinating to me how the plains indians lived or what kind of hardships my ancestors faced in eastern europe. but i'm not about to start advocating unearthing their remains.

I take it the current displays of bodies is distasteful??

http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/

Would it be better to not know mankind's cultural history? This is scientific knowledge, and if you don't like it, don't view it.
I've traveled to Egypt many times and viewed mummies in the Cairo Museum.
There's always a sense of awe. Because of the cause of the demise, makes circumstances different in this case. This was reality at that period of time.
[Edited 9/20/07 0:08am]

i never understood why this is considered so interesting
it's basically just watching a dead body
i find it creepy indeed