Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery
Posted August 26th, 2008 by phl.costelloe
Location:
Museum StreetLocation:
LancashireLocation:
BB1 7AJFunding Organisation:
Local authorityYLM Questionnaire Completed:
YesHuman Remains Policy:
NoComment:
Disposal Policy:
YesHR Count:
12HR Count Pre-Christian:
3How many human remains are in its collection, and how many of those are of ancient British provenance:
9 individuals / groups on bone. 3 Bronze Age British - partially cremated bones.
How many of these human remains are well documented, with clear context of date and place of exhumation?:
All
Where there are human remains in store, is there a history of use?:
Not for the cremated remains, but the urns have been displayed.
Where there are human remains in store, is there potential for use, in display, education or scientific analysis?:
Display potential to show cremation process, in principle: but not vast.
Does the museum have a disposal policy, and is it including HR with negligible potential in its discussions about disposal?:
Yes, disposal policy, but no clause on human remains.
What sources of information about these human remains are in the public domain and where?:
None
Are any of these remains currently on display and in what context?:
Egyptian mummy and mummy head.
What is your opinion, and that of other Pagans or local community, of this display?:
Mummy head especially simply has 'shock value' and is inappropriate. Press a button to light case!
Does the museum hold any iconic HR, i.e. figures of local or national importance, and are these on display?:
No! But mummy has been x-rayed, and has an encaustic portrait (Roman period, from Hawara).