Welwyn Hatfield Museums Service across two sites: Mill Green Museum & Welwyn Roman Baths
Mill Green
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
AL9 5PD
Welwyn Roman Baths, Welwyn Bypass Road, Welwyn, AL6 9FG
01707357856
Website: http://www.welhat.gov.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?:
In total 8 complete skeletons, one cremation, one skull, and various bones.
Within the museum service collection there are 6 complete skeletons from Grange Cemetery, a Romano-British site; an infant burial from Dicket Mead, also a Romano-British site; and one skeleton and cremation from Welwyn Hall site again Romano-British in origin. In addition the collection includes individual bones and part skeletons from the Welwyn Hall site. Finally, the collection includes a skull and skull fragments from Pope’s Farm site which covers 13th-18th Century. The excavation report stated the skull has been dated to the 13th Century due to the context it was found in but also suggests the fragments may not have originated at this site.
Total: 8
How many of these human remains are well documented, with clear context of date and place of exhumation?:
All of these are well documented with clear context of date and place of exhumation although not all of this information has yet been added to our collections management database. The museum service also holds excavation reports and/or papers relating to these sites.
Where there are ancestors in store, is there a history of use?:
Any usage should be recorded on our collections management database but I am unsure how thoroughly this has been done. It is noted that the skeleton is currently on display at the Welwyn Roman Baths.
Where there are ancestors in store, is there potential for use, in display, education or scientific analysis?
I believe there is potential for use in display and education purposes as the human remains relate directly to the period of one of our sites, Welwyn Roman Baths, and in some cases directly to the site (Dicket Mead). I am unsure as far as scientific analysis goes but this is only due to lack of resource within the museum service and would be addressed on a case by case basis.
Does the museum have a disposal policy, and is it including HR with negligible potential in its discussions about disposal?:Yes
Human remains are mentioned within the context of our Collections Development Policy. We would consider human remains with negligible potential in discussions about disposal although no active discussions are currently taking place.
What sources of information about these human remains are in the public domain and where?:
The human remains are referenced on our collections management database which is available for visitors to search when they visit our Resource Room. Unfortunately, our online database no longer works so this is not currently accessible remotely. We also have archive records relating to the sites which members of the public could request to see. In addition, within the Resource Room there are archaeological publications some of which reference the sites in question. For the skeleton on display at the Welwyn Roman Baths there is an interpretation panel relating to the human remains.
Does the museum have ancestors (human remains) on display?:Yes
One of the skeletons, a woman from the 1st Century AD, is on display at our Welwyn Roman Baths site. She is displayed face down as she was found and with an accompanying interpretation panel providing information about her significance and how/where she was found including photos of her skeleton in situ during excavation. There are exhibition panels either side which discuss aspects of life on a Roman villa and women’s dress/jewellery.
We have never received any negative comments relating to the display of these human remains and the public always seem interested and engaged with the display. We received one comment that the skeleton was the wrong way up and therefore added information to the interpretation to explain that this was to reflect how she was found.
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 human remains mentioned above that are on display are thought to be iconic. She is a complete skeleton from the 1st Century AD but was found during excavation in 1990 fully laid out in a cremation cemetery in Welwyn.
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?:
As far as the current staff know, replicas have not previously been used in displays. This is definitely something we would be happy to consider if you can point us in the direction of more information. The main barriers would be cost.
Documents:
https://www.honour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/formidable/2/YLM-2020-Questionnaire-Welwyn.doc
13 January, 2021
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