Heritage Open Day 2026: Backstage in The Gage

This Heritage Open Day, step behind the scenes at the Dean Heritage Centre for a fascinating and thought-provoking journey into a rarely seen part of our collection.

Join archaeologist Janet Bailey as she explores human remains recovered during archaeological excavations and now cared for within the Dean Heritage Centre collections.

Far more than archaeological finds, these remains belonged to real people. Janet will share what we have been able to discover about some of these individuals, exploring the clues they have left behind and the stories archaeology can help us piece together about their lives.

But their presence in museum collections also raises important questions.

How should museums care for and display human remains? How do we tell these stories respectfully? And how do we, as visitors, feel about encountering the remains of people who lived hundreds or even thousands of years ago?

During the session, there will be an opportunity to explore these questions and share your own thoughts about how human remains should be represented within museums today.

Part of our Backstage in The Gage series, this special Heritage Open Day event offers a glimpse into the collections, research and conversations that usually happen behind the scenes.

Wednesday 16 September 2026

2pm

Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley

FREE

Come curious. Leave seeing archaeology, museums and the people behind the objects a little differently.