YLM Database

The Wellcome Collection

183 Euston Road
London
NW1 2BE

02076118888
Website: http://www.wellcomecollection.org/
Additional web links: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/About-us/Policy/Policy-and-position-statements/WTX033469.htm
Parent Organisation:
Funded by:

The Wellcome Trust

YLM Entry Submitted: Yes
Comments:

A comprehensive Policy if a little vague at times. As with all other policies it is worded to retain the Trust’s control over the Human Remains in its collections.

In the Articles section of HAD’s website you can read a review of the exhibition held in the autumn of 2008 at the Wellcome’s premises in Euston, London entitled ‘Skeletons: London’s Buried Bones’.

How many human remains are in its collection, and how many of those are of ancient British provenance, pre-Christian or in other way Pagan?:

The Trust has sent a comprehensive list to HAD of all the human remains in their store, this being also available on the website (see the Human Remains Policy link above). Of the human remains of British provenance, there are only 4 which are preChristian. Most of the human remains are on permanent loan to the Science Museum, London. Information given here is for those currently on display at the Wellcome Collection.

Total: 4

How many of these human remains are well documented, with clear context of date and place of exhumation?:

Further details about the objects can be obtained by searching the appropriate Accession Register, index cards or notebooks, which are held at the Wellcome Library, 183 Euston Road, London, in the Rare Materials Room. The Science Museum may also have further information available.

Where there are ancestors in store, is there a history of use?:

The majority of the collection is on permanent loan to the Science Museum who may have better information about this. The Trust is eager to give appropriate public access to the remains in their care, through exhibitions, education projects and scientific research, which is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Where there are ancestors in store, is there potential for use, in display, education or scientific analysis?

Does the museum have a disposal policy, and is it including HR with negligible potential in its discussions about disposal?:Yes

Yes. See the Human Remains policy (link above) and in particular Section 2 – De-accessioning.

What sources of information about these human remains are in the public domain and where?:

See the Human Remains policy (link above) where the List of Human Remains can be accessed. Further information is available upon application in the Collection’s Rare Materials Room at Wellcome Library, Euston Road, London.

Does the museum have ancestors (human remains) on display?:Yes

Information about all the human remains currently (Feb 2009) on display have been submitted to HAD and are available on request.

To date, the museum has had only two queries regarding human remains, and the vast majority of public comments are positive.

Does the museum hold any iconic ancestors, ie. complete skeletons with a well documented story, or those considered of national or local importance, and are these on display?:

Yes, a Peruvian mummified male body.

Has the museum used or considered using replicas in displays? If not, why not and what would you find useful in moving to these? If you have, what response did these receive?:

Documents:

http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/About-us/Policy/Policy-and-position-statements/WTX033469.htm

24 December, 2008