Displaying the Dead: The English Heritage Experience

Abstract

It is an accepted standard that any new interpretation at a heritage site needs to be stimulating and engaging, while appealing to the widest audience possible (Carver 2008a–c) in the most accessible manner. A number of events in the last decade, such as the repatriation of indigenous human tissue and material culture (see Jenkins this volume), have encouraged debate around artefact ownership and sensitive presentation in respect of minority cultural traditions and values (see Rathouse this volume). As well as an increased awareness in professional bodies, there has been a perceived heightened sensitivity of visitors, and their awareness of propriety and respect of different cultures. For many English Heritage sites open to the public, including ancient monuments, historic buildings, their collections and the stories attached to them have links to sensitive subjects. Some have the power to elicit strong emotions in the modern public. As well as human remains and death memorials, these sites include stories about slavery (e.g. Kenwood House), theories of evolution (Darwin’s home at Down House), religious persecution (e.g. Clifford’s Tower; Mount Grace), prisoner of war experiences (e.g. Portchester Castle), and human destitution and poverty (e.g. the Poor House at Framlingham Castle). In designing displays, considerable emphasis is placed on tone and language to sensitively guide the visitor through an engaging yet thoughtful presentation. As the discipline of interpretation is the visitor-facing product building from many academic fields, it is open to influence. This openness to different ideas, however, can occasionally lapse into a lack of cohesion and self-doubt (see Jenkins 2011). An example of this ambivalence is particularly evident in the display of human remains which has shifted from a frequently low-brow form of morbid entertainment (such as the display of Egyptian mummies in Victorian times) to that of occasionally disproportionate respect and shielding (see Jenkins this volume). Where time and funds permit, this is usually managed by the use of interpretation evaluation, both formative (before the interpretation is created) and summative (after the interpretation has been installed). In addition, organizations such as English Heritage have also benefited from internal and externally appointed scientific advisors who can authoritatively aid the navigation of delicate subjects such as the presentation of pre-Christian era human remains (for example at Avebury; see Giles and Williams this volume).