# Glasgow museum removal of Egyptian mummies

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/glasgow-museum-removal-of-egyptian-mummies
> Updated: 2026-10-24T15:49:48.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 2.

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and The Hunterian Museum in Glasgow, Scotland, have removed or obscured ancient Egyptian mummified remains from public display. At Kelvingrove, items including the remains of a priest named Nekht and various body parts—including a mummified head, hand, and foot from the Valley of the Kings—were taken off exhibition and replaced with signage stating the remains were removed as a mark of respect.

At The Hunterian, the remains of Lady Shep-En-Hor were covered with textile, though her sarcophagus remains visible. This follows a review of policies regarding the display of human remains from outside the United Kingdom.

Glasgow Life, the managing organization, stated the decision follows a new policy requiring documented and informed consent from the deceased or their descendants. The move aligns with the International Council of Museums’ revised Code of Ethics to uphold the dignity of human remains and address the “constant disregard” for ancestral intentions. 

The policy change has faced criticism from political figures, such as Murdo Fraser, who characterized the decision as “woke madness,” and from visitors who argued the removal limits educational opportunities. Critics have further noted the practical impossibility of obtaining consent from individuals who lived thousands of years ago. In contrast, the British Museum has stated it has no plans to remove its mummy exhibits, citing their scientific and historical value.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-24: Glasgow museums remove Egyptian mummies over ethical concerns

Glasgow's Kelvingrove and Hunterian museums have removed or obscured Egyptian mummies from public display, citing ethical concerns and a lack of consent from the deceased.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/glasgow-museums-remove-egyptian-mummies-over-lack-of-consent

### 2026-10-22: Kelvingrove Museum removes Egyptian mummies from display

Glasgow's Kelvingrove Museum has removed Egyptian mummies from public display, citing a lack of informed consent from the deceased and adherence to new museum ethics codes.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kelvingrove-art-gallery-and-museum-removes-egyptian-mummies-from-display

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Cite as: Glasgow museum removal of Egyptian mummies. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/glasgow-museum-removal-of-egyptian-mummies