Why the Mary Rose was raised

When does a naval wreck cease to be a war grave, and why were Mary Rose remains excavated?

The wreck was raised because growing harbour traffic threatened to destroy the archaeology; the recovery aimed to preserve it while retaining respect for the dead.

Leaving the wreck in situ was preferable in principle because the Mary Rose was both an archaeological site and the resting place of her crew. Larger ferries, warships, and proposed harbour traffic were increasingly disturbing the seabed and exposing the remains. Recovery therefore became a choice between carefully moving the wreck and allowing the surviving archaeology to be destroyed in place. Raising and conserving the ship preserved far more evidence while still requiring respectful treatment of the dead and the original site.