Kelvingrove removes ancient Egyptian remains from display

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has removed ancient Egyptian human remains from public display, with Glasgow Life saying the decision reflects contemporary museum practice and respect for the dead. A notice at the Glasgow museum tells visitors the remains have been removed from the display as a mark of respect. The removed items include a painted coffin containing the remains of the priest Nekht, a mummified male head, a mummified right hand recovered from the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, and a mummified right foot. The changes came to light after a visitor noticed the notice where the exhibits had been displayed. Glasgow Life, the charity that operates the city’s museums and cultural venues, says its draft Human Remains Policy proposes that remains should be displayed only when there is documented, informed consent from the deceased or, where appropriate, their descendants. The policy is a draft, and its final criteria have not been announced. The organisation says it is working to remove further archaeological human remains from Kelvingrove’s History Discovery Centre and Scotland’s Early People gallery. After work at Kelvingrove is completed, Glasgow Life plans to...