Egyptian mummies removed from display: the concern – 'the dead did not give consent'

Two museums in Glasgow have removed Egyptian mummies from display, arguing that the deceased did not give informed consent for the exhibition of their remains. The Kelvingrove Museum removed the remains of the priest Nakht, and the Hunterian Museum covered the body of the lady Shep-en-Hor.

Two leading museums in Glasgow, Scotland, have removed ancient Egyptian mummies from display, following an amendment to the ethics code of the International Council of Museums and a 2026 British parliamentary report. The new guidelines require informed consent from the deceased or their descendants for the display of human remains. At the Kelvingrove Museum, the mummified remains of the priest Nakht, who lived over 3,500 years ago, were removed along with a painted coffin. A spokesperson for Glasgow Life explained that in the absence of documented consent, removing the remains shows greater respect for the deceased. At the Hunterian Museum, the mummified body of the lady Shep-en-Hor was covered, while her decorated sarcophagus remains on display as a work of art. The museum stated it is reviewing the display of all human remains originating from outside the UK and aims to return them to their communities.