The Hunterian, University of Glasgow
Glasgow
G12 8QQ
Scotland
Website: https://www.gla.ac.uk/hunterian/
Additional web links: https://www.gla.ac.uk/collections/#/
Parent Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Funded by:
University
YLM Entry Submitted: No
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?:
There are two distinct anatomical collections of human material at the University of Glasgow. This policy covers the anatomical material formally accessioned as part of the Hunterian collections, principally William Hunter’s 18th century material, and various 19th century and early 20th century collections associated with University of Glasgow staff. Later 20th century material, preparations under 100 years old, still in the ownership of the Laboratory of Human Anatomy are covered by the licensing provisions of the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006. Although the older, historic, material is excluded from the provisions of the Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006, it is adopted as best practice to manage such material in the same manner as the ‘modern’ collections.
The majority of human remains in the archaeology collection were excavated in Scotland, the British Isles, or Western Europe. There are some human remains from archaeological contexts from the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. Human remains from Oceania, Africa, Asia, and the Americas are held within the World Cultures collection.
The human remains in the Zoology collections are mainly osteological. There is very little provenance with many of the specimens which appear to have been assembled for teaching purposes.
Total holdings – 4119.
Total:
How many of these human remains are well documented, with clear context of date and place of exhumation?:
68 with known UK localities
Where there are ancestors in store, is there a history of use?:
All human remains in The Hunterian are kept in a dedicated section of the collection store. Where appropriate, and where possible, human remains from the same culture or locality will be kept together. There may be specific instances where this will not be possible. The remains are stored in discrete and anonymous boxes in these areas.
Access to all human remains is restricted to Hunterian staff only. Access will only be for collections management purposes, including duty of care, research access where approved, preventive conservation assessment, etc.
All use since 2014 recorded on collections management system. Previous to this hardcopy records may exist in some instances but not all.
Where there are ancestors in store, is there potential for use, in display, education or scientific analysis?
The Hunterian will only display human remains, or casts or reproductions of human remains, when accompanied by appropriate and relevant contextual information. Where human remains are on display in a gallery or exhibition this will be clearly labelled.
Where the context is appropriate The Hunterian may lend human remains for display elsewhere. Non-British human remains will not be lent.
Research and teaching using human remains will only be permitted after assessment of the research question and the impact on the long-term preservation of the human remains.
Teaching or research of human remains of non-British origin will normally only be permitted with the support and consent of the originating community.
Does the museum have a disposal policy, and is it including HR with negligible potential in its discussions about disposal?:
What sources of information about these human remains are in the public domain and where?:
Online database available at https://www.gla.ac.uk/collections/#/
Policy and full list of holdings available at https://www.gla.ac.uk/hunterian/about/policies/human-remains/
Does the museum have ancestors (human remains) on display?:
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. Complete skeleton Neolithic female from Tiree – 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?:
No.
Documents:
https://www.honour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/formidable/2/Hunterian-Glasgow-human-remains-holdings.xlsx
https://www.gla.ac.uk/collections/#/
26 November, 2024
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