Leeds Museums and Galleries

Posted September 8th, 2008 by Mike.Fletcher
Location: 
Leeds Museums Discovery Centre
Location: 
Carlisle Road
Location: 
Hunslet
Location: 
Leeds
Location: 
West Yorkshire
Location: 
LS10 1LB
Funding Organisation: 
The Museum Discovery Centre is funded by the Leeds City Council.
YLM Questionnaire Completed: 
Yes
HR On Display: 
No
HR Count: 
100
HR Count Pre-Christian: 
10
Iconic HR: 
No
How many human remains are in its collection, and how many of those are of ancient British provenance: 
Leeds Museums and Galleries are comprised of 8 museums in total, including the Art Gallery. Two of the Leeds sites hold archaeological collections, Kirkstall Abbey and the Museum Discovery Centre. The Museum Discovery Centre houses all of the human remains in the archaeological collections. Current estimates state that there are about 100 records of human remains within the collection. In each box or record, however, there could be several remains present. Within the 100 records about 10 are believed to be of ancient British provenance, although there is a likelihood of more. Currently, the Museum Discovery Centre is undergoing a full investigation of their collection. This also coincides with an opening of a new museum in the city. Thus it may take until next year to have a fuller description of what the collection holds for human remains. The archaeological curator, Katherine Baxter, is also planning to have experts to examine the remains, potentially resulting in the possibility of reburial -- if appropriate. The investigation of human remains will only start after the new museum is open – so it will begin after August 2008 and probably carry on into 2009.
How many of these human remains are well documented, with clear context of date and place of exhumation?: 
There is not a great deal of available documentation as of yet. As the examinations of the collections continue, the MDC will be able to provide a fuller account of what documentation is available.
Where there are human remains in store, is there a history of use?: 
Information on this is not available at this time, as documentation is scarce.
Where there are human remains in store, is there potential for use, in display, education or scientific analysis?: 
The remains of ancient British provenance will most likely not be available for displays. The MDC feels as though there must be a strong case for displays of this kind. As for education and scientific analysis, the MDC will be consulting with scientific bodies for information on the research potential of the human remains in the collection. All of the human remains in the archaeological collection are kept together in the store room. They are situated towards the back of the room in a fairly secluded area. All remains are wrapped in acid free paper, and then placed in bags within cardboard boxes on the shelves. It is also worthy of note and commendable on the part of the MDC that the human remains found in an estimated 4 cremation burials (Anglo-Saxon period), rest within the urns in which they were found, stored together in the manner described above.
What sources of information about these human remains are in the public domain and where?: 
The information is not in the public domain, but it will be available online through the MDC’s website (currently under construction) once it has been re-examined. It is also important to note that the curator of archaeology is disposed to accessibility of collections; human remains included. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the museum and obtain permission to see the collections (subject to suitable intention on the part of the applicant; religious reasons would be included by what is stated as ‘suitable intention’). It is actually unlikely that the MDC will put our documented human remains online. But the contact details will be available on the website so anyone can phone or email and the MDC will be completely open about what is present in the collections.
Are any of these remains currently on display and in what context?: 
N/A
What is your opinion, and that of other Pagans or local community, of this display?: 
The MDC is overall inclined to encourage the participation and consultation of the local community including the pagan community and HAD.
Does the museum hold any iconic HR, i.e. figures of local or national importance, and are these on display?: 
The MDC does hold a mummy (possibly considered iconic) in the collection that will be on display in the new museum opening next year (off of Millennium Square in Leeds). For ancient British remains, however, there is not much in the way of complete documentation.