East Ridings Museum Service
10 Lord Roberts Road
Beverley
Hull
HU17 9BE
01482392771
Website: https://www.eastriding.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?:
About 45 catalogue records relating to either cremated human remains or skeletal material, of Bronze Age to Medieval date. The majority will be pagan, especially early Anglo-Saxon material.
Total: 45
How many of these human remains are well documented, with clear context of date and place of exhumation?:
Variable, as some is from 1950’s excavations, but in general all have at least some level of publication.
Where there are ancestors in store, is there a history of use?:
Yes.
We do not log all uses of collections in display, although in general, we do not display human remains. Research applications are submitted via a form to our Collections Team for consideration, which includes looking a the scientific benefits of the research, the level of destructive analysis required and the previous use of the same material. We do have replicas of some skeletons for workshop use
Where there are ancestors in store, is there potential for use, in display, education or scientific analysis?
Yes.
Does the museum have a disposal policy, and is it including HR with negligible potential in its discussions about disposal?:Yes
Is not specifically covered, but in general we have a strong presumption against disposals. On ethical grounds, I don’t think we would be likely to dispose of any human remains, unless it was to transfer them to a more geographically appropriate location.
What sources of information about these human remains are in the public domain and where?:
Online museums catalogue. Site reports (where published), OASIS (for more recent projects).
Does the museum have ancestors (human remains) on display?:No
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?:
Grave 49 from the Sewerby Anglian cemetery is widely regarded as an incidence of a ‘live’ burial and has often been studied. The remains are not on display.
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?:
We do use replicas for workshops / lectures and would no doubt consider their use for displays too.
Documents:
https://www.honour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/formidable/2/YLM-Questionnaire-East-Riding-2022.doc
6 June, 2022
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