Human Remains

Human remains can be found in numerous collections worldwide, and their museum storage and presentation have long been taken for granted. However, the question of whether the existence of human remains in collections and exhibitions is ethically justifiable has become increasingly pressing, and if it is fundamentally affirmed, how appropriate handling of these remains can be achieved. There are no simple solutions to this issue.

To broadly present the current and sometimes divergent discussion, this anthology gathers various positions, approaches, and examples. The spectrum includes the fields of Egyptology, anthropology, ethnology, ethics, museology, medical history, and law, as well as historical and scientific research and examination methods. The case studies range from ancient Egyptian and South American mummies to bog bodies, Christian relics, toi moko, and 'Ötzi', as well as the 'Body Worlds' exhibition.