YLM Database

Hastings Museum and Art Gallery

Bohemia Road
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 1ET

01424451052
Website: http://www.hmag.org.uk/

Parent Organisation:
Funded by:

Local Authority

YLM Entry Submitted: Yes
Comments:

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 museum has 20 boxes of Christian burials and 3 skulls of uncertain origin, thought to be possibly Iron Age.

Total: 23

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

The Christian burials, from excavations in the 1970s and 80s, are well documented. The three skulls, which are from an early twentieth century building works, are not so.

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

Yes, for some.

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

Possibly.

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

Yes, there is a disposal policy, but it does not currently include guidance about human remains.

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

The excavation reports are published.

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

The three possibly Iron Age skulls are on display in a case about a local hill fort.

There have been no comments made to the museum in the ten years of the display being in situ.

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?:

No.

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:

26 August, 2008