BABAO acknowledges the value and importance of proper curation of human skeletal collections from archaeological contexts, as well as those from former anatomical collections. Correct storage in appropriate facilities is crucial to the success of ongoing and future research involving such collections.
In recent years growing numbers of human skeletal remains have been excavated in the UK, largely in relation to development-led archaeological projects. The results of these excavations have placed increased pressure on curating institutions to provide adequate storage facilities. Although we believe that the duty of curation for these remains and their accompanying material culture lies with local authorities in the first instance, we also recognise that, due to a variety of factors, some are vulnerable to disposal/reburial, which is counter to our organisation’s ethos. Therefore, we offer to find appropriate curation facilities for these remains through participating departments on a case-by-case basis. These will be used for both research and teaching.
As part of this process, we expect institutions to comply with BABAO’s good practice guidelines and ethical standpoint and to bear in mind that this list is not an endorsement by the association, but a list of institutions which are prepared to receive collections of human skeletal material in need of curation. All of these institutions have appropriate storage facilities, written policies on the curation of human bone and staff that are suitably qualified and experienced to care for human remains.
Museum curators, project directors or others wishing to make enquiries regarding the possibility of depositing skeletal collections to institutions able to accept collections are asked in the first instance to please email BABAO’s Museum Representative (museumrep@babao.org.uk) to assist in providing each case with up to date information and guidance when contacting the respective institutions
In addition, it has been agreed by the BABAO Board of Trustees that non-UK institutions can be listed on this page for receiving UK skeletal collections, as long as they were on loan and not permanently curated by the institution/country. Thus, BABAO would agree that such a temporary loan was viable, provided Museums Association principles are followed.
Other resources
- Principles for Lending and Borrowing by the National Museum Directors’ Council (June 2021)
- Public Display guidance by the Human Tissue Authority.
- BABAO´s Advice and guidance about accessing collections of human remains in the United Kingdom (August 2015).
- BABAO’s Trading and Sale of Human Remains Sub-group.
For further information and queries, please contact our Museum Representative, Trish Biers at museumrep@babao.org.uk