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March 7, 2026

Which human remains are held in UK museums

Institutions including the Natural History Museum and Cambridge University hold more than 263,000 human remains, Guardian investigation finds

Which human remains are held in UK museums

TL;DR

  • 241 UK museums, universities, and local authorities hold over 263,228 items of human remains.
  • The true figure is likely higher due to incomplete cataloguing and record gaps.
  • The Natural History Museum in London holds the largest collection, estimated at 27,500 individuals.
  • Many remains were acquired unethically, including through duress, deceit, unlawful removal, and even murder during colonial times.
  • Section 47 of the Human Tissue Act allows for the removal of human remains from certain national museums under specific conditions.

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