Museums Reconsider Display of Ancient Egyptian Mummies Amid Consent Concerns

Two museums in Glasgow, Scotland, have removed ancient Egyptian mummies from public display, citing evolving ethical standards and concerns about the absence of consent from the deceased individuals or their descendants. The policy shift reflects a broader trend in museum practices concerning the display of human remains.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, managed by Glasgow Life, has removed the mummified remains of the Egyptian priest Nekht, who lived over 3,500 years ago, along with his coffin. A spokesperson for Glasgow Life stated that this decision aligns with contemporary museum practices and references the International Council of Museums’ (ICOM) revised Code of Ethics, which emphasizes upholding the dignity of human remains and promoting respect for their significance. The spokesperson also noted the influence of a 2025 report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Afrikan Reparations, which raised ethical concerns about displaying ancient Egyptian remains without regard for the wishes of the deceased or their original communities.

Glasgow Life Museums' draft Human Remains Policy proposes that human remains should only be displayed if there is documented, informed consent from the individual or their descendants. In cases where such consent is absent, the museum believes removing ancient Egyptian human remains from display is the more respectful course of action.

The Hunterian museum, also in Glasgow, has decided to keep the sarcophagus of Lady Shep-En-Hor on display but will cover the mummified individual within it. A statement from The Hunterian indicated a commitment to becoming a more ethical institution and a re-assessment of its human remains collections. The museum has decided not to put human remains from outside the UK on open display. While Lady Shep-En-Hor's sarcophagus will remain visible as a work of art, the mummified remains will be concealed to afford her privacy in death.

These decisions follow revisions to the ICOM Code of Ethics, which advises that decisions regarding human remains and related collections should be made in collaboration with descendants or originating communities, if known. Experts note that while the code encourages careful consideration, it does not mandate the removal of all human remains from display, with institutions like Kelvingrove and The Hunterian arriving at different outcomes based on their interpretations and policies.