Bankfield Museum

Posted August 26th, 2008 by phl.costelloe
Location: 
Boothtown Road
Location: 
Halifax
Location: 
HX3 6HG
Funding Organisation: 
Calderdale MBC
YLM Questionnaire Completed: 
Yes
Comment: 

1 skull, 1 ethnographic item and a few fragments of teeth and hand bones from a barrow

Disposal Policy: 
Yes
HR Count: 
3
HR Count Pre-Christian: 
2
How many human remains are in its collection, and how many of those are of ancient British provenance: 
3 items, 2 of which fit the category
How many of these human remains are well documented, with clear context of date and place of exhumation?: 
Both pre-Christian remains were excavated form Blackheath Barrow 1898
Where there are human remains in store, is there a history of use?: 
Not complete history
Where there are human remains in store, is there potential for use, in display, education or scientific analysis?: 
Yes, displayed & potential for other
Does the museum have a disposal policy, and is it including HR with negligible potential in its discussions about disposal?: 
We have an acquisition & disposal policy. As we have very small holdings there is no specific mention of negligible use as we have none in this category and would not acquire such.
What sources of information about these human remains are in the public domain and where?: 
Findings were published by the Museum in 1906
Are any of these remains currently on display and in what context?: 
The remains are a fragment of human teeth and some handbones recovered from cinerary urns found at Blackheath Barrow near Todmorden.There is also a very small amount of calcined human bone. They were excavated in 1898. We have recently had these professionally conserved and set in their own purpose made plastizote boxes. They are displayed in Todmorden Library in a case with the other items from Blackheath Barrow, cinerary urns, “incense cups”, beads, pot shards etc.
What is your opinion, and that of other Pagans or local community, of this display?: 
Feedback from the local communityis that the collection should remain in the Todmorden area or as close as possible. It is felt that the remains are respectfully displayed and the collection gets a lot of interest both from academics and the general public.
Does the museum hold any iconic HR, i.e. figures of local or national importance, and are these on display?: 
No