Glasgow’s Kelvingrove museum removes Egyptian mummies from display

A Scottish museum has removed ancient Egyptian mummies and other human remains from its displays. Under new rules, the museum cannot show the remains of people who did not give informed consent. Visitors will no longer see the sarcophagus containing the remains of the Egyptian priest Nekht, a mummified right hand found in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, and a man’s head.

Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow is run by Glasgow Life. According to British media reports, the organisation said the decision reflects modern museum practice and that work to remove other human remains is continuing. It also cited the International Council of Museums’ code of ethics, under which museums should uphold the inherent dignity of remains and respect their significance.

What kind of consent is required

Glasgow Life has decided to display remains only with the written informed consent of the deceased or, where appropriate, their descendants. Where no such consent exists, the organisation argues, taking ancient Egyptian remains off display shows the dead greater respect.

Criticism from politicians

The decision has been criticised by Scottish Conservative politicians. Member of the Scottish Parliament Murdo Fraser said people go to museums to learn about ancient civilisations, not to see history hidden away because it fails to meet today’s ideological standards.

The mummies, which are between 2,000 and 5,000 years old, had been on show at Kelvingrove since it opened in 1901.

Around Prague guide on the topic: 6 кладбищ Праги, где история и искусство важнее скорби: путеводитель по некрополям-музеям

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Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz