Lindow Man Exhibition

Posted by Natasha Sheldon Jun 13, 2008

Manchester Museum is currently running an exhibition of Lindow Man. The 2000 year old bog body was found at Lindow Moss in Cheshire in 1984. Currently on loan from the British Museum, he will be on display in Manchester until the 19th April 2009.

The museum’s website makes the point that it is important to ‘treat human remains with respect and dignity.’ This raises several interesting questions. Whilst it is understandable and important that forensic scientists and archaeologists analyse such remains to help rebuild a picture of the past, is it justifiable to put a body on display in a museum once the research is complete? Indeed, is it right for any human remains to be displayed in such a way? What does the public really gain from the experience? And do we have a right to discount the beliefs and wishes that might have accompanied a ritual burial, even if those beliefs are lost to us and were never our own besides.

Perhaps the question we should be asking is how we would feel if our own vacated remains were on public display. Some of may not care. Others might even find the idea quite interesting. I for one find the idea slightly disconcerting.