Manchester Museum in the UK is asking visitors whether the mummified remains of Asru, an Egyptian woman who lived around 2,700 years ago, should remain on display. The public consultation, running until the end of August, invites comments online or in a box next to her case. The museum notes that Asru's body was acquired in the early 1800s by the sons of a man who profited from slavery, shipped to Manchester, and unwrapped in 1825.
This initiative reflects a growing debate in the museums and heritage sector over the display of human remains, particularly those taken during colonial rule. It aligns with Manchester Museum's decolonisation projects and follows a parliamentary report calling for legal changes to require consent for displaying remains. The outcome could influence how other UK museums handle similar collections.