Human remainsClaims on Human Remains in the British Museum: 1995-2007

From 1995 until the passing of the Human Tissue Act into law, there were six approaches to the British Museum from organisations making claims against human remains in the Museum collection.

Date

Claimant Body

Material claimed

November 1997

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre

Two cremation ash bundles from Tasmania

1997-98

Haida Nation band council

Human skull

November 1998

Te Papa/Museum of New Zealand

Maori Tatooed heads (mokomokai)

August 2001

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Repeat Request

Two cremation ash bundles from Tasmania

December 2001

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC – defunct Australian government agency)

Australian human remains

May 2002

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Repeat Request

Two cremation ash bundles from Tasmania


Since the relevant section 47 of the Human Tissue Act came into force in 2005, the Museum has received one approach which will be considered by Trustees pending receipt of a final independent report, in accordance with the Trustees’ Human Remains policy. Download the policy (pdf)

Date

Claimant Body

Material claimed

July 2005

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre in association with the Australian government

Two cremation ash bundles from Tasmania

NB four of the seven claims listed above have been made by or with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, submitting repeat requests for the same material.

For further information on any of these claims please contact the Museum at collectionenquiries@britishmuseum.org