Mummified priest's remains removed from Glasgow museum may return to Egypt

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 08:17 · Archive

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow has removed the mummified remains of an Egyptian priest from display after receiving a repatriation request.

Mummified Egyptian remains have been removed from display at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow over ethical concerns about displaying human remains without consent. The remains of the priest Nekht, contained in a painted coffin, were taken out of public view last month. The Sunday Post reports that Egyptian authorities have asked for the repatriation of the remains to Egypt. Glasgow Life, which operates the museum, confirmed it has received the request but could not confirm who made it.

The decision to remove the remains reflects a revised code of ethics from the International Council of Museums recommending that the 'inherent dignity' of human remains be upheld. Glasgow Life said it removed the coffin in the 'absence of consent from the deceased individual or their descendants'. Nekht is thought to have lived between 1985 and 1797BC and was excavated at Beni Hasan in Middle Egypt during early twentieth-century digs. The remains were donated to Glasgow in 1923.

Glasgow Life said it has a 'well-established' process for repatriation requests and intends to continue removing human remains from display across its museums. A specific storage facility with restricted access has been built to house human remains and other sensitive objects. Other Egyptian remains, including a mummified male head, right foot and right hand recovered from the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, have also been removed from display. Work is under way to remove archaeological human remains from the History Discovery Centre and Scotland's Early People gallery at Kelvingrove, with further removals planned at St Mungo Museum in Glasgow city centre.

How it is being reported

• Egypt requests return of 4,000-year-old priest’s remains from Glasgow museumEgypt has asked for the return of a 4,000-year-old mummified priest after his remains were removed from display at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove museum.Glasgow Times · 2 Nov, 07:56
• Mummified remains removed from Kelvingrove could be returned to EgyptHuman remains are no longer on show in the Egyptian section of Kelvingrove MuseumGlasgow Live · 2 Nov, 07:47
• Scottish museum's mummified remains removed from view could be returned to EgyptGlasgow’s Kelvingrove Museum removes Egyptian mummies over consent concerns as a repatriation request is made for priest Nekht’s remains to EgyptThe Herald · 1 Nov, 14:59
• Mummified remains could return to Egypt after removal from public viewThe Sunday Post newspaper reports "Egyptian authorities" have asked for the repatriation of the mummified corpse of the priest Nekht.BBC Glasgow And West · 1 Nov, 12:22

In this story: Nekht · Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum · Glasgow Life · Glasgow · Egypt · Beni Hasan · Valley of the Kings

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