HUMAN REMAINS, HERITAGE AND ETHICS

While the law passed in France on 26 December 2023, concerning the restitution of human remains of foreign individuals deceased after 1500 belonging to public collections, has recently enabled the return of 3 Sakalava skulls to Madagascar, we felt it was important to revisit this subject, which presents a certain legal complexity, coupled with strong ethical issues. 

The presence of human remains in the collections under our care entails our responsibility as museum professionals, in different fields of intervention, from documentation to presentation to the public, including conservation-restoration. 

It requires us to rethink the entire traditional heritage chain, and to rethink the meaning and ethics of ‘conservation’, ‘study’, ‘restoration’ and ‘exhibition’. 

On Tuesday 3 June, we will be questioning our professional practices to find the most respectful responses to the sensitivities of our audiences and the singularity of these ‘collections’, whether identified or anonymous, if the term ‘collections’ can even be judiciously used

Emilie…