[REVISION HISTORY]

Glasgow museum removal of Egyptian mummies

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-26 04:18 UTC → 2026-10-26 07:46 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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 were~~ 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.

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