‘Woke Madness’: Scottish Museum Removes Mummy from Display Over ‘Lack of Consent’
The decision by Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow to pull several Egyptian mummies from view has sparked a heated debate about how museums handle ancient human remains. Citing a new draft policy that demands documented, informed consent from the deceased or their descendants, the institution placed a simple notice explaining the removal as a “mark of respect”.
Among the objects taken down are the painted coffin of the priest Nekht, a mummified male head, a right hand and a right foot from the Valley of the Kings, as well as the long‑displayed body of Lady Shep‑En‑Hor at the Hunterian Museum, which has now been draped while her sarcophagus remains on display.
Critics have dismissed the move as “woke madness”, arguing that centuries‑old artifacts belong in public view to educate visitors about ancient civilizations. Some politicians have framed the policy as an overreach of contemporary sensibilities that obscures history.
Supporters, however, point to an evolving ethical landscape that asks institutions to consider the dignity of the individuals represented, even when tracing living descendants is practically impossible. The controversy highlights the tension between preserving access to cultural heritage and respecting the humanity of the people whose bodies are on display.