THIS February the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro is going to confront a subject that many may find a bit gruesome, and you are welcome to come and watch.

Curator of Archaeology, Jane Marley will be giving a talk on the moral and practical considerations of looking after and |displaying human remains in the museum.

The Royal Cornwall Museum uses the term ‘human remains’ to mean the bodies, and parts of bodies of once living people.

In the UK, there is a long tradition of |excavating human remains, studying them and including them in museum collections and displays.

They hold a unique status in museum |collections, placing a special responsibility on the museums that hold them, but are a crucial resource in helping us understand different cultural approaches to death, burial practices and belief systems, as well as changes to populations, diets, growth and medical conditions.

Jane explained: “Since the 1970s there has been much debate about the sensitive nature of collecting and displaying human remains.

“At the Royal Cornwall Museum, we have been progressive in our approach; we have a specific policy on Collecting and Displaying Human Remains and in 2006 we responded to the request from the Australian Government for the return of aboriginal ancestral remains.

“One of our most popular exhibits is the unwrapped mummy of the Egyptian priest and craftsman, Iset-tayef-nakht. He holds a certain fascination for our visitors, which is why I thought it would be interesting to discuss the ethical challenges he (and the other human remains) poses for the |museum.”

The talk will take place at The Royal Cornwall Museum on Thursday, February 6 from 1pm to 2pm. It is a free talk but usual museum admission applies.

Places are limited. To book your place, call 01872 272205 dial 2 or email enquiries@royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk.

Entry to the museum is free to members of The RIC and anyone aged 18 or under. Adults pay £5 for an annual pass – pay once, visit for free all year.