National Museum Cardiff / Amgueddfa Cymfu

Posted December 24th, 2008 by Mike.Fletcher
Location: 
Cathays Park
Location: 
Cardiff
Location: 
CF10 3NP
Telephone: 
029 2039 7951
Museum Website: 
National Museum Wales website
Funding Organisation: 
Welsh Assembly Government
YLM Questionnaire Completed: 
Yes
Human Remains Policy: 
Yes
Comment: 

Human Remains policy

An older Policy from 1995 before most institutions had thought of a specific Human Remains Policy. A new Policy is being developed to provide the substance that this one clearly lacks.

HR On Display: 
Yes
Iconic HR: 
Yes
How many human remains are in its collection, and how many of those are of ancient British provenance: 
The museum is currently working on a detailed listing of all its human remains. A fair estimate would be that half are Christian and the others are Ancient British and preChristian in date.
How many of these human remains are well documented, with clear context of date and place of exhumation?: 
The vast majority : 99%.
Where there are human remains in store, is there a history of use?: 
Yes.
Where there are human remains in store, is there potential for use, in display, education or scientific analysis?: 
Yes.
Does the museum have a disposal policy, and is it including HR with negligible potential in its discussions about disposal?: 
Yes.
What sources of information about these human remains are in the public domain and where?: 
This information is currently being collated (Feb 2009). It will be available on the museum website during 2009.
Are any of these remains currently on display and in what context?: 
Human remains are on display. The museum feels these are displayed in a respectful context considerant of their original place, and where possible with the associated grave goods.
What is your opinion, and that of other Pagans or local community, of this display?: 
Display of human remains at the museum in 2006, entitled 'Death in Wales: 4000-3000 BC', was at the time criticised and HAD was in touch with the relevant curator.
Does the museum hold any iconic HR, i.e. figures of local or national importance, and are these on display?: 
Yes. No information has been provided by the museum.