New project to enhance care and curation of archaeological human remains in Scottish museum collections
The care and curation of archaeological human remains in Scottish museum collections is to be enhanced thanks to a major new project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
Scotland’s Archaeological Human Remains Collections (SAHRC) is a collaborative project, led by National Museums Scotland with Historic Environment Scotland (HES). It will see the appointment of Scotland’s first dedicated Curator of Osteoarchaeology and the expansion and enhancement of research and storage facilities at the National Museums Collection Centre. It will also provide leadership and guidance for the Scottish heritage sector on the ethical care, curation and research of Scottish archaeological human remains.
SAHRC is part of the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme, funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Arts and Humanities Research Council through the UKRI Infrastructure Fund.
Dr Matthew Knight, Senior Curator of Prehistory (Bronze Age Collections) at National Museums Scotland and lead investigator on the project said:
“The study of archaeological human remains is an important part of understanding our past. Our collections are actively researched by museum staff and accredited researchers. The results from osteoarchaeological and scientific analyses allow us to reveal important insights into how people travelled, what they ate, how they lived and how they died, allowing us to share stories about their lives. This project will enhance how we store and care for their remains for the long term in an ethical and sensitive way, while enabling greater accessibility and opportunities for researchers, helping us to develop our knowledge of Scotland’s human history.”
National Museums Scotland currently holds Scottish archaeological human remains from 528 sites and assemblages, representing over 2200 individuals. These remains derive from archaeological sites across Scotland and span human history from the earliest settlers about 8000 years ago to the medieval period. Human remains were among the first donations to the museum in 1781, and museums continue to collect and curate remains from archaeological excavations today.
As part of SAHRC, archaeological human remains which have been excavated during emergency investigations and which are currently curated by HES will be transferred to the collections of National Museums Scotland to be managed by the new Curator of Osteoarchaeology, ensuring better access for researchers.
Dr Kirsty Owen, Deputy Head of Archaeology at HES, said:
“We are very excited to be working with National Museums Scotland on this project, which brings together key stakeholders from across the country to address some of the biggest questions facing Scotland’s archaeological human remains collections. As one of the lead bodies for Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy, we recognise that ensuring that human remains collections are stored appropriately and that comparable ethical standards are maintained by visiting researchers is particularly challenging for museum curators. This project is a big step forward in addressing these issues.”
The work at the National Museums Collection Centre in Granton, north Edinburgh, is expected to create 70% more space for the storage of archaeological human remains, in addition to introducing new scanning and sampling equipment.
National Museums Scotland and HES will coordinate an advisory board and group of project partners drawn from across the UK museums and heritage sector to steer the research, curation and ethical management of archaeological human remains in Scotland. This long-term project will ensure archaeological human remains are safeguarded by coming into museum collections, and will establish sector-wide research protocols for others to consult.
Notes to editors
1. National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in the UK and Europe and it looks after collections of national and international importance. The organisation provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
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2. Bheireadh Oifis nam Meadhanan eadar-theangachadh Gàidhlig den bhrath-naidheachd seachad do bhuidhinn mheadhanan bharantaichte. Cuiribh fios do dh'Oifis nam Meadhanan airson bruidhinn air cinn-latha freagarrach.
3. About the Arts and Humanities Research Council
The UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funds internationally outstanding independent researchers across the whole range of the arts and humanities: history, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, languages and literature, design, heritage, area studies, the creative and performing arts, and much more. The quality and range of research supported by AHRC works for the good of UK society and culture and contributes both to UK economic success and to the culture and welfare of societies across the globe.
4. About Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.