YLM Database

Buckinghamshire County Museum

Church Street
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP20 2QP

01296331441
Website: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/museum/county_museum.page

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 holds 89 human remains, 54 o which have a Saxon or earlier date of provenance.

Total: 89

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

Only 2 individual remains, both Egyptian, have no provenance beyond the country of origin. Some of the antiquarian excavations have limited provenance, but further research – if resources were available – would improve this.

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

Yes, current ongoing research into Roman neonate burials at Yewden Villa, by English Heritage. Research has led to new theories about the site, either large scale infanticide or a shrine to a mother goddess, acting as a birthing centre.

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, but it does not currently mention human remains.

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

Information is available from museum staff (Keeper of Archaeology) on request.

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

Not currently.

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