Two museums in Glasgow have changed how they display ancient Egyptian human remains, citing respect and privacy for the dead. At Kelvingrove Museum, the mummy of the priest Nekht has been removed from display, although a mummified head, foot and hand were still seen. At the Hunterian, the mummy of Sjam-En-Hor is now covered with a cloth while her decorated sarcophagus remains visible. Glasgow Life also plans to remove some coffins and mummified remains from the St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art.

The changes were linked to strengthened International Council of Museums guidelines on displaying human remains and to the museums’ aim of becoming more ethical institutions. Critics said the measures amounted to hiding history. National Museums Scotland and the British Museum said they had no plans to follow Glasgow’s approach, while the Glasgow museums have not yet said what will happen to the remains and are open to the possibility of returning them to Egypt.