[Author’s Name]
[Institution’s Name]
Essay on Display of Human Remains in Museums
From a strictly personal standpoint, I see no problem with human remains on display. I believe the educational factor, as well as the simple awe of viewing past lives, far outweighs any morality issue. If I can give you my 2 cents regarding ancient human remains in the Museum, my opinion is that if they were not at the Museum they would probably be lost. I feel that these people are being honored by being there. The Museum recognizes the cultural, spiritual, scientific and educational importance of all human remains within its care.
In 1988 at a public hui at the Te Rau Aroha Marae in Bluff, there was discussion of the Museum's custody and storage of human remains. Following this hui, there was a meeting with Kaumatua at the Museum. The consensus of this meeting was that the Museum should retain its small reference collection under the following conditions:
- Un-required bones would be reburied with appropriate protocol;
- A special non-public repository would be constructed within the Museum;
- No further bones would be added to the collection.....
