The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow has removed several ancient Egyptian mummified remains from public display, citing concerns about the ethics of exhibiting human remains without consent. Among the items withdrawn are a painted coffin containing the remains of the priest Nekht, a mummified male head, a mummified right hand found in the Valley of the Kings, and a mummified foot. A notice at the museum states that the removal is “a mark of respect” for those individuals.

Kelvingrove, a cultural institution opened in 1901 and attracting more than 1.3 million visitors annually, has long featured Egyptian mummies and artifacts from one of the world’s earliest civilizations. The museum is operated by Glasgow Life, a charitable organization funded by Glasgow City Council, currently governed by the Scottish National Party and the Green Party.

A spokesperson for Glasgow Life explained that the decision aligns with “contemporary museum practice” and is informed by the International Council of Museums’ revised Code of Ethics, published in June 2026. This code emphasizes that museums should “uphold the inherent dignity of human remains and promote respect for their significance.” The museum’s draft human remains policy proposes that such remains should only be exhibited if there is documented and informed consent from the deceased individual or their descendants. In cases where such consent is absent, the museum believes removal from display is more respectful.

The announcement has drawn strongly divergent reactions. Some visitors expressed disappointment. Jonny McFarlane, a Glasgow resident, said he had taken his daughter to see the displayed mummy after she had developed an interest in ancient Egypt, only to find the exhibit replaced by a sign explaining its removal.

Conservative politician Murdo Fraser criticised the decision, describing it as “woke madness” and “ridiculous.” He argued that people visit museums to learn about ancient civilizations, not to have history hidden away due to current ideological sensitivities. Fraser suggested that museum authorities should follow the example of prominent institutions in Egypt, where mummies are displayed respectfully based on religious guidance, rather than engage in what he called virtue-signalling.

In addition to the removal of Egyptian human remains, Kelvingrove has sought to engage with wider historical and ethical issues in recent years. The museum now includes a “Museum of Empire” section that addresses Glasgow’s historical links to the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, and exploitation. One permanent exhibit, titled City of Empire, highlights the city’s role as a major transatlantic trade hub dealing in sugar, cotton, and tobacco, while acknowledging that some displayed objects contain racist language and imagery that may cause discomfort. The museum has also returned artifacts considered sacred to Native American communities, replacing them with replicas.

The removal of the mummies reflects ongoing debates in museums internationally about how to balance public education with respect for cultural sensitivities and ethical considerations surrounding human remains. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum’s approach appears to be part of a broader effort to reconsider how history and heritage are presented in a modern context.