Glasgow Museums Pull Ancient Egyptian Mummies From Display Because the Dead Never Gave Consent. They Have Been Dead for Thousands of Years.

Visitors to two museums in Glasgow, Scotland, are finding some empty spots where the mummies used to be, and a very modern reason for it: consent.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum says it took the remains of an ancient Egyptian priest named Nekht off display because of an "absence of consent" from the person or their descendants. A notice at one display now reads: "We have removed human remains from this display as a mark of respect."

The Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow made a similar move, taking the body of Lady Shep-En-Hor out of public view while her ornate coffin, on display since 1820, stays put.

The museums point to a draft policy saying human remains should only be shown with documented, informed consent from the person or, in some cases, their descendants. Which raises an obvious paperwork problem for someone who died in ancient Egypt.

The decision set off a loud public argument in the UK, with critics calling it ridiculous and supporters calling it respectful. Other museums are reviewing their own rules, while the British Museum told reporters it has no plans to remove its mummies.

For now, if you want to see a mummy in Glasgow, you may have to settle for the coffin.