Towards a multidisciplinary practice for human remains: the conservation, collection, and display of human remains and objects made from them.©

Towards a multidisciplinary practice for human remains: the conservation, collection, and display of human remains and objects made from them. This research discussion examines the breadth and complexity of a unique strand of museum collections, artefacts that often cross boundaries of classification, being defined as both material culture and human remains. It explores some of the controversial methods in which collections of human remains were amassed as well as the decision-making processes involved in exhibiting them. The care, collection and display of human remains is shown to involve a wide spectrum of disciplines and stakeholders, including minority religious organisations, local communities, indigenous groups, anthropologists, archaeologists and museums. Inspired by my work within the conservation department of Norfolk Archaeology and Museums Service, specifically the conservation treatment and preparation of a ceremonial Tibetan apron constructed from human bone, the role that conservators can play in the treatment of human remains is investigated. My research reveals that in order to fulfil policies and guidelines, which tend to adopt the culturally defined, cover-all stance of ‘respect’ as the method of treatment for all human remains, a multidisciplinary practice is vital. Within this discussion I argue that a multidisciplinary practice allows for an inclusive, progressive and pluralistic approach to the treatment of human remains.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

other

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of East Anglia

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Clark, Jonathan

Language dc:language

en