Edinburgh National Museum
Chamber Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1JF
Scotland
Parent Organisation:
Funded by:
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 in Edinburgh is huge. In its archaeology section, there are 300 skeletons or parts of skeletons in their collection, although, not all of them are on display. Those that weren’t on display were in the Human Remains unit in Edinburgh for scientific study. All of them are documented, including the full skeleton on display which had a paragraph of explanation.
Total: 300
How many of these human remains are well documented, with clear context of date and place of exhumation?:
Where there are ancestors in store, is there a history of use?:
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?:No
The Edinburgh Museum has a limited disposal policy, but this is not directed at human remains. There is no disposal of human remains.
What sources of information about these human remains are in the public domain and where?:
Documentation on displays (abbrieviated) Between 4500 BC 2800 BC, tombs were found to contain incomplete skeletons. It is thought that parts of the remains were taken to put on individual’s lands or possibly in their houses as a way of saying ‘this is our land because our ancestors were buried here’. Some remains were found in special pits – Dr Clark suggested they were taken from the tomb to use in ritual. By around1750 BC in mainland Scotland, cremation had overtaken inhumation as the favoured funery custom. Burying an unburnt body reappeared as a funery custom around 800 BC. But most were disposed of in a way which left no traces. By 450 AD, Christians brought the change that the dead should be buried with their heads to the west and feet to the east so that at dawn on judgement day, they would be able to get up and meet Christ returning with the light. Bodies presumably shrouded were buried in cemeteries. There were no grave goods. Sometimes cross marked stones were put up as grave markings. Although Norwegian Viking settlers first came to Scotland, they had their own pagan tradition, which is reconstructed in the Edinburgh Museum.
Does the museum have ancestors (human remains) on display?:Yes
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?:
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:
8 September, 2008
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