Life and Art from FT Weekend

Why museums should keep their mummies and shrunken heads

Aug 12, 2024
Marc Filippino, a guest host and FT associate editor, dives into the ethical dilemmas surrounding the display of mummies and shrunken heads in museums. He and Stephen Bush discuss the importance of consent and ownership, arguing that artifacts taken ethically deserve to be showcased. They explore the value these grotesque items bring to museum experiences, sparking curiosity and confronting mortality. The conversation also highlights London's diverse museum landscape, emphasizing the need for deeper cultural respect in curation and viewer engagement.
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