Human bones out of auction

A human skull and thigh bone will no longer go on sale, following pressure from history experts.

Three ex-medical items were listed in the militaria, domestic and rural bygones sale at Taylor’s in Montrose on May 5.

But the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland said it was “unethical” and “wrong to commodify people as objects”, and asked Taylor’s to remove the items from the sale.

J o n a t h a n Ta y l o r , m a n a g e r o f Ta y l o r ’s Auction Rooms said the items were now being removed.

“While such items can be l egally sold i n the UK and are i n auction houses nationwide, following consideration we have decided to remove the items from the forthcoming sale,” he said.

Valued at £20 to £40, the skull i s listed as “Human skull, ex-medical display complete with springs and hooks” while the thigh bone, valued in the same range, is also described as “ex-medical display”.

Antiquarians also objected to the sale of a composite model of a human hip bone, an ex-medical display, valued at £20 to £40.

D r S i m o n G i l m o u r, director of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, said: “It is not illegal in Scotland to buy or sell human remains that fall outwith the Human Tissue Act or the laws regarding sepulchre (burial) but we believe it is unethical.

“We support Babao (British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology) in their statement on the issue. It is illegal to traffic living people, why would this change when someone dies?

“All human remains should be treated with dignity and respect, whether reburied or dealt with as per their personal wishes.”

The listed human skull.