YLM Database

Epping Forest District Museum

39-41 Sun Street
Waltham Abbey
Essex
EN9 1EL

01992716882
Website: https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/museum/

Parent Organisation:

Epping Forest District Council

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 currently curates six complete and fragmentary human remains within it’s collection, dating from the Roman to Medieval periods.

The Museum curates a Roman cremation burial from the site of Little London (Durolitum), Chigwell, which could be pre-Christian. The five remaining skeletons are Anglo-Saxon and Medieval and understood to be Christian burials.

Total: 6

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

The human remains retained at Epping Forest District Museum (EFDM) are variably documented, some in publications from the 1970s and 80s. We do have a general idea of the date of most of the human remains within the collection but, due to the passage of time, the database does not adequately record object details or bibliographic references to published literature. In many circumstances, an osteoarchaeologist was not on site and details of age, sex, height and pathology have not been recorded. .

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

No, there is not a history of using the skeletons retained within the stores.

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

Yes, the human remains in store have the 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

The Museum does have a disposal policy, stating that the disposal of human remains from the Museum will follow procedures set out in the ‘Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museum.’

The Museum holds or intends to acquire human remains from any periods and will abide by procedures set out in the ‘Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums’ documentation issued by DCMS in 2005.

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

Some published excavation reports are available within the Archaeological Data Service (ADS) Grey Literature Library and some are retained as hardcopies within Epping Forest District Museum’s library.

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

EFDM currently has the skeleton of a presumed former 13th C Abbott of Waltham Abbey Church on display. The skeleton takes pride of place within the centre of the gallery in a long 91×35 within a standard anatomical position. The skeleton is displayed with a bronze facial reconstruction of the Abbott along with associated labels.

Visitor and staff feedback regarding the display of the skeleton have been positive and display with the facial reconstruction is usually cited as giving added depth and a more personal story to the Abbott’s remains.

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 Abbott skeleton is largely complete, researched and well documented.

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 considered using replicas in displays.

Documents:

12 March, 2021