YLM Database

The Novium Museum

Tower Street
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 1QH

01243775888
Website: http://www.thenovium.org

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 Novium Museum cares for human remains from the following archaeological sites:
St Pancras Roman Cemetery, Eastgate, Chichester (approximately 326 cremation burials, although not all included human remains)
Theological College Roman Cemetery, Westgate, Chichester (approximately 5 burials)
Westhampnett Iron Age/ Roman Cemetery & Bronze Age and Neolithic individuals (approximately 200 burials)
Apple Down Anglo Saxon Cemetery, East Marden (approximately 185 burials)
Iron Age Warrior burial from North Bersted (1 burial)
Bronze Age individual from near Westbourne (1 burial)
Northgate Roman Cemetery, Chichester (1 burial)
Remains of two individuals discovered on West Wittering Beach of unknown date, but deemed to have been buried over 100 years ago
Leper Cemetery of the Hospital of St James and St Mary Magdalene, Chichester (on loan to the University of Bradford)
Anglo Saxon Cemetery at 69-70 East Street, Chichester (approximately 6 burials)
Remains of an individual of Roman date found at Chidham site B
Eastgate Needlemakers, Chichester (14 burials)
Infant burial from the Lavant Pipeline
Blackfriar’s Priory, Stocklund House, Chichester (unknown quantity)
Infant burial from the Cattlemarket, Chichester
Infant burial from Chilgrove Roman Villa 1
Bronze Age cremation from East Dean
In addition there are also several other references to ‘human bone’ or ‘human remains’ relating to other site records on the museum’s Collections Management System. Rather than complete burials it is possible that these relate to disarticulated human remains discovered during archaeological investigations. It is not possible for the museum to count the number of these references at this time.

Total: 440

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

The majority of these human remains have been discovered as as result of archaeological investigation and in such cases the museum holds the documentary archives relating to these.

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

Yes.

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

Yes. The Novium Museum has a Human Remains Policy identifying the principles governing the holding, display, care for and study of human remains in the Museum’s Collection. The museum is committed to caring for all human remain in its care in an ethically respectful manner, while also making them available for research, learning and teaching where appropriate and in appropriate ways.

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

The museum is Accredited under the Museums Association Accreditation Scheme and therefore has an approved Collections Development Policy. This policy includes reference to the repatriation and restitution of objects and human remains.

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

The museum holds any documentation relating to the human remains within its collection. Such information is freely available upon request.

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

Yes. These are displayed in a way that reflects their original burial and how they were discovered. When working on new displays the museum consults with osteologist to determine an appropriate display method. The remains are laid out in the same positions as when they were first discovered and are displays with the grave goods found with them. The interpretation displayed alongside the burials provides a significant amount of context and background information to their discovery, the grave goods and to the individuals themselves.

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, the museum has two ‘iconic’ ancestors currently on display (as June 2022). The first is the nationally important ‘Mystery Warrior’, an Iron Age Warrior discovered in 2008 during excavations on a site in North Bersted, near Bognor Regis. Experts believe he may have been a refugee Gallic fighter who fled Julius Caesar’s army during the Gallic Wars in c.50BC. The burial therefore provides a unique insight into the region’s role in welcoming conflict migrants, who ultimately became ‘resistance leader’ figures in southern Britain in the years preceding the Roman invasion.

The second is a Bronze Age individual discovered near Westbourne, West Sussex in 1989. The burial contained a bronze dagger – Britain’s earliest known object made of this material, dating from the period of transition from copper to bronze metallurgy. The remains themselves show evidence of a conflict. Osteological analysis found a cut mark on his right upper arm, just above the elbow, and another less clear mark that might indicate a second strike to his lower right shoulder. Neither wound shows any sign of healing, suggesting that they occurred at or near the time of the man’s death.

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 museum has not had experience of utilising replica remains in displays to date. This is something we would certainly consider, but would need to undertake further research before committing.

Documents:

8 June, 2022