Kelvingrove Museum removes Egyptian mummies from display

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 18:15 · Archive

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow has removed Egyptian mummies from display as a mark of respect, citing a lack of "informed consent" from the deceased individuals. The items removed include a coffin containing the remains of the priest Nekht, a mummified right hand recovered from the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, and a mummified male head and right foot. A sign has been placed where the display previously stood reading: "We have removed human remains from this display as a mark of respect."

Glasgow Life said the decision reflects contemporary museum practice and aligns with the International Council of Museums' revised Code of Ethics, published in June 2026, which states that museums should uphold the inherent dignity of human remains and promote respect for their significance. The organisation is working to remove more human remains from the History Discovery Centre and the Scotland's Early People gallery at Kelvingrove Museum.

Plans are also in place to remove a coffin and mummified human remains from the St Mungo Museum in Glasgow. Mummies have been displayed at Kelvingrove since the museum opened in 1901. Manchester Museum removed a 2,700-year-old mummified Egyptian woman called Asru from public display last month after consulting Egyptian colleagues and members of the Egyptian diaspora.

How it is being reported

• Why has Glasgow removed its Egyptian mummies from public display?THE news that a number of Egyptian mummies have been removed from a Glasgow museum amid concerns over "informed consent" from the deceased has made headlines worldwideThe National · 22 Oct, 17:30
• Kelvingrove Museum removes Egyptian mummies from display due to lack of 'consent'Glasgow Life said it was making changes at the popular site due to no "informed consent from the deceased individual".Daily Record · 21 Oct, 22:44

In this story: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum · Glasgow Life · St Mungo Museum · Priest Nekht · Glasgow · Valley of the Kings

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