Establishing provenance and provenience of human remains in swiss museum collections

Abstract

The provenance and provenience of human remains in museum collections have long posed challenges due to historical practices of acquisition and often insufficient documentation. Here we present a multidisciplinary investigation into mummified remains from the Bern History Museum (BHM), Switzerland in order to elucidate the changing practices in museum anthropology. We use archival research, radiocarbon dating, bioanthropological analysis, and imaging techniques, to approach provenance and provenience. Despite comprehensive methods, uncertainty regarding provenience persists, underscoring the impact of historical exploitation on the integrity of archaeological knowledge. We emphasize the significance of revising terminologies in museum documentation to humanize mummified remains, promoting a respectful engagement with the past while addressing the complexities of their acquisition and preservation in a specific historical context. We show a potential process for addressing ethical concerns in handling and studying human remains in Switzerland, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration for scientifically robust and culturally sensitive research.