Remains of up to 70 people held in museums' archive

All material originated from archaeological excavation in the UK, Herefordshire Council said

Remains of up to 70 people, including whole and partial skeletons, are being held by Herefordshire museums, a bizarre freedom of information request has shown.

The inquiry, from an unnamed source, to Herefordshire Council has also elicited confirmation there are whole skulls and bones, in the archive.

They are among up to 10,000 objects in the collection, which features everything from geological items, to art, textiles and furniture, all compiled from UK archaeological excavations.

However, they do not feature skin, hair, scalps, nails, or other body parts, mummified remains or artefacts made from them, the council said.

The information request appeared to be trying to establish whether the authority kept any human remains from other countries.

Archaeological surveys are often required as a condition of new developments at sensitive spots in the county.

Remains were recently uncovered in work to get approval for a heat pump building close to the County Hospital in Hereford, a site believed to have once housed a medieval priory.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.