Canterbury City Museums

Posted August 26th, 2008 by phl.costelloe
Location: 
Royal Museum and Art Gallery
Location: 
18 Hight Street
Location: 
Canterbury
Location: 
Kent
Location: 
CT1 2RA
Telephone: 
01227 452 747
Funding Organisation: 
Kent Local Authority
YLM Questionnaire Completed: 
Yes
Disposal Policy: 
No
HR Count: 
23
Iconic HR: 
No
How many human remains are in its collection, and how many of those are of ancient British provenance: 
Canterbury Museum Services, comprised of six museums. The main office is at Stour Street, Canterbury. Canterbury Museum - 17 Roman cremations, all placed in funerary jars/urns. One of these may be Belgic in type/series, therefore late Iron Age. The remains of two Roman soldiers (presumed Cavalry); the remains of two adults (male and female) and two 5th Century (Anglo Saxon) children who were found in a pit. Herne Bay Museum - The remains of one Iron Age female; six Roman cremations all in funerary jars/urns, one of these may be Saxon in date; one Roman skull; Anglo Saxon remains comprising two adults and two children.
How many of these human remains are well documented, with clear context of date and place of exhumation?: 
All are well documented with the exception of a few of the remains. All are recent discoveries (1980s+), with excavation carried out by Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
Where there are human remains in store, is there a history of use?: 
Scientific and forensic analysis was carried out on an adult female and female child of Anglo Saxon origin. This scientific work resulted in facial reconstruction work which is on permanent display.
Where there are human remains in store, is there potential for use, in display, education or scientific analysis?: 
Unknown.
Does the museum have a disposal policy, and is it including HR with negligible potential in its discussions about disposal?: 
It has no disposal policy specific to human remains, arguing this is owing to the small number of finds in its collection.
What sources of information about these human remains are in the public domain and where?: 
For the fifth century pit burial and Roman cavalrymen, there is information on Canterbury Archaeological Trust's website which includes images of original state of the finds.
Are any of these remains currently on display and in what context?: 
Canterbury Museum has a policy of not displaying ancient human remains.
Does the museum hold any iconic HR, i.e. figures of local or national importance, and are these on display?: 
No.