The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery

Bethesda Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3DW

01782236000
Website: http://stoke.gov.uk
Additional web links: http://www.facebook.com/sotcitycouncil
Parent Organisation:
Funded by:

Local authority (Stoke-on-Trent City Council)

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?:

I estimate we have the remains of around 30-35 individuals in the collection, of which around 20-25 are from a prehistoric, or other non-Christian, context.

See below for notes regarding uncertain numbers.

Total: 35

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

We have provenance/context for all of the remains – but some are from significantly old excavations, back into the 19th century in one case. So the quality of documentation and information does vary.

With some deposits where only disarticulated fragments have been recovered – there is uncertainty how many individuals are represented. Hence the tentative ranges expressed above.

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

Stored human remains have been analysed a number of times – historically this has focused on Medieval human remains from Hulton Abbery and Hartshill. More recently, some of our prehistoric remains have been sampled by the Crick Institute as part of ancient DNA projects.

Some remains are on display in the archaeology galleries including cremated bone and disarticulated fragments from cave excavations. A male skeleton from Hulton Abbey is displayed within a stone coffin.

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

This is a mixed situation – there are remains that have demonstrated high scientific potential (see above). However, there is a smaller group of less documented remains

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

Our current Collections Development Policy, which contains our Disposal Procedures, references the DCMS, Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums.

Earlier this year we identified our policies around human remains were insufficient and not living up to all areas of best practice. I am presently working up a revised, standalone policy.

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

There is limited information on our website, through the ADS, and in the galleries. However, I don’t believe we presently fulfil this responsibility – one of the reasons for revisiting our policies and practice (see above)

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

Some remains are on display in the archaeology galleries including cremated bone and disarticulated fragments from cave excavations. A male skeleton from Hulton Abbey is displayed within a stone coffin.

I believe most of our staff/visitors are fairly apathetic towards these displays – we rarely get comments (negative or positive) regarding them.

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?:

The individual from Hulton Abbey represents a prominent local site with a well documented story and archaeological context.

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?:

The archaeological galleries are dated and in deed of refurbishment. We would certainly consider using replicas as part of displays and take the opportunity to revise the way we display (or don’t display) human remains.

Documents:
https://www.honour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/formidable/2/YLM-Questionnaire-2020-v2-Potteries.doc
http://www.facebook.com/sotcitycouncil

13 November, 2020