Corporate information
National Museums Liverpool has developed a policy for human remains in its collections according to the recommendations of the Code of Practice published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in October 2005. The DCMS Code of Practice was developed to provide guidance to museums in relation to the Human Tissue Act 2004.
National Museums Liverpool also recognises that other items in museum collections may be culturally sensitive. These include sacred and secret items, photographs and other depictions of human remains or people now deceased, and museum records relating to these.
We are committed to working co-operatively with other museum professionals and representatives of source communities to ensure that all of these culturally-sensitive items are cared for appropriately. And it should be noted that, as cultures differ, what is appropriate for one group of objects may not be appropriate for another.
National Museums Liverpool collections contain approximately 1,240 items identified as human remains. These include twenty complete Ancient Egyptian mummies; skulls, bone fragments and other skeletal material; 864 slides of human tissue, and nearly 100 artefacts which incorporate human remains such as bone and teeth.
An inventory of human remains in our collections is available in pdf format. The information published is in accordance with the guidelines set out in the DCMS Code of Practice.
In accordance with National Museums Liverpool’s acquisition policy, we will continue from time to time to acquire human remains and to add them formally to the collections. However, we will only do so if we are satisfied, as far as possible, that:
It is anticipated that National Museums Liverpool will acquire human remains mainly from archaeological excavations conducted in the UK. These excavated remains are subject to a Home Office licence or directions. The transfer of the remains to us is conducted in accordance with legal requirements and published professional standards of archaeological investigation.
Any acquisition of human remains less than 100 years old will be subject to the legislation set out in the Human Tissue Act 2004, and we will be guided by the Human Tissue Authority.
Human remains may be loaned to other institutions for a variety of reasons, such as display or research. National Museums Liverpool will ensure that any institution seeking to borrow human remains satisfies the legal, ethical and practical considerations set out in the DCMS Code of Practice. We also ensure that these considerations are followed when we borrow human remains from other institutions.
Human remains at National Museums Liverpool are stored in appropriate conditions. Storage is actively managed and monitored and meets suitable standards of security, access management and environment. The remains are also stored in a respectful and appropriate way wherever possible.
Objects found associated with human remains, for example grave goods, are stored separately from the remains, with other accessioned objects.
Wherever possible in the storage, conservation and care of human remains, the wishes of the genealogical descendants or cultural communities, or relevant faith organisations, are taken into consideration where known.
Visitor surveys show that the vast majority of museum visitors are comfortable with, and often expect to see, human remains as an element of museum displays. National Museums Liverpool gives careful thought to the reasons for, and circumstances of, the display of human remains. Our displays of human remains are always accompanied by explanatory and contextual information. Wherever possible, source communities are also consulted on the display of their ancestors' human remains.
National Museums Liverpool currently provides access to its collections of human remains through academic research and public display.
Where research is requested, we will seek to ensure that researchers are reminded of the ethical and legal obligations with regard to human remains and that they are provided with written guidelines. Any analysis which requires sampling will only be undertaken according to the our sampling procedures [National Museums Liverpool Human Remains Destructive Sampling Form - Word document]. Any physical examination and handling of the remains will be done sensitively and respectfully, to maintain the dignity of the deceased.
We will not allow public access to any human remains while the outcome of a claim for their return to a source community is pending.
The Trustees of National Museums Liverpool will consider requests for return of human remains on a case by case basis. This will involve consideration of a number of factors including the legal status of the remains, how they were originally acquired, their cultural, spiritual and religious significance and their scientific, educational and historic importance. Information on making requests for the return of human remains is available as a Word document.
The Trustees will normally only consider a claim for repatriation from a community when it is made through the relevant national government or national agency.
For any request to be considered, the claimant would have to establish a sound evidential base for their claim. The Secretary to the Board of Trustees can supply further information and guidance on request. Please contact Claire Croucher.
Claims for the return of human remains to source communities are considered above. If other circumstances arise in which National Museums Liverpool wishes to de-accession human remains, we will be pro-active in establishing whether any genealogical or cultural descendants exist who might wish to make a claim for return or reburial. We will also fulfil any legal, religious or civil requirements relating to exhumation licences, for example as a result of rescue archaeology, and ensure that any disposal is carried out safely and respectfully.
Reference: DCMS Code of Practice Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums, October 2005