Beaney exhibition explores delicate topic of displaying human remains

A new exhibition opening at The Beaney in Canterbury later this month (October) will explore the sensitive issue of the display of human remains in museums.

‘What Remains? Uncovering our ancestors: the history, science and ethics’ opens in the Special Exhibitions Room on Sunday 18 October and runs until 30 March 2026.

The exhibition sets out the delicate balances that museums need to consider when curating displays that feature human remains.

By studying our ancestors, we can uncover who they were, how they lived and what their lives may have been like. And with advances in science and technology, there is still much more to discover.

But do scientific value and the chance to learn more about our past outweigh ethical concerns?

Visitors to the exhibition will be invited to explore the evidence, share their thoughts and offer their perspective on the science, history and ethics of human remains.

They will also have the choice to view human remains displayed in a separate area of the exhibition, examine x-rays and dig for artefacts.

And an ancient mummified Egyptian head, which was gifted to the council’s museums and galleries service and has been examined using a computed tomography scanner to reveal its hidden secrets, will be on show in the exhibition.

Alongside this will be contributions from expert osteologists, conservators and archaeologists to showcase research on human remains from the Canterbury district and Kent.

Cabinet member for Culture, Cllr Charlotte Cornell, said: “This is a fascinating exhibition, one that challenges us to reflect not only on what it means to be human, but also on our role as custodians of the past.

“It will delight and transfix historians, scientists, and the simply curious, both young and old. Come along…and be brave.”

‘What Remains? Uncovering our ancestors: the history, science and ethics’ is a partnership between Canterbury City Council, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury Archaeological Trust and D&B Conservation.

Find out more on The Beaney’s website.

Entry to The Beaney is free, with donations encouraged. The museum is open daily (closed on Mondays).

Published: 1 October 2025