Manchester Museum, named European Museum of the Year 2025, is consulting visitors on whether to continue displaying the mummified body of Asru, an ancient Egyptian woman, as part of its 'decolonisation' efforts. The move highlights ethical questions about displaying human remains and colonial acquisitions.
Manchester Museum asks visitors if Egyptian woman’s body should be taken off display
MuseumsManchesterColonialismGreater ManchesterEnglandUKCulture
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Manchester Museum, named European Museum of the Year 2025, is consulting visitors on whether to continue displaying the mummified body of Asru, an ancient Egyptian woman, as part of its 'decolonisation' efforts. The move highlights ethical questions about displaying human remains and colonial acquisitions.
Trending- 1 2,700 years ago: Asru lived in Thebes
- 2 19th century: Asru's sarcophagus acquired by Robert and William Garnett
- 3 April 1825: Asru's mummified body unwrapped at the Manchester Natural History Society
- 4 March: A report by MPs from the all-party parliamentary group for Afrikan reparations called for bans on selling ancestral remains and publicly displaying them without consent
- 5 May 2025: Manchester Museum was named European Museum of the Year
- 6 Currently: Manchester Museum is running a consultation on Asru's future display and has launched its 'Decolonise! Trail'
- Potential removal of Asru's body from display
- Increased public discussion on museum ethics and colonialism
- Ongoing decolonisation efforts in museums
What: Manchester Museum is asking visitors for their opinion on whether to continue displaying the mummified body of Asru, an ancient Egyptian woman, as part of its decolonisation initiative.
When: May (Manchester Museum named European Museum of the Year 2025), March (MPs' report), 1825 (Asru's body unwrapped), 19th century (sarcophagus acquired).
Where: Manchester Museum, Thebes (ancient city), Luxor (modern-day), UK, Sudan (Kushite origin).
Why: The museum is 'decolonising' its exhibits and questioning the ethics of displaying human bodies and spoils from imperial expansion, acknowledging the UK museum sector's benefit from colonialism and transatlantic slavery.
How: The museum has placed a plaque with a question and a postbox for answers. It has also launched a 'Decolonise! Trail' with new artworks and narratives.