Glasgow museum pulls Egyptian mummies citing lack of consent from the dead

Glasgow Life, the arm-length charitable body that runs Glasgow’s cultural venues, announced the removal of multiple Egyptian human remains from the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, including a painted coffin of priest Nekht, a male mummy head, a right hand and a right foot recovered from Luxor’s Valley of the Kings. A sign posted in the gallery explains the action as a mark of respect because the items lack documented, informed consent from the individuals concerned.

The organization said the policy aligns with the International Council of Museums’ 2026 Code of Ethics and a draft Human Remains Policy that limits displays to cases with proven consent. The decision sparked backlash from Scottish Tory culture spokesman Murdo Fraser and Campaign for Real Education chairman Chris McGovern, who called the removal “woke nonsense” and argued that reputable Egyptian museums display such remains respectfully. Glasgow Life also indicated plans to remove similar remains from the History Discovery Centre, Scotland’s Early People gallery, and the St Mungo Museum.