On The Square Emporium, an auction house based in Bangor, County Down, is facing criticism from academics for the sale of human remains, including a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy head. The business, which also operates a site at Sydenham Business Park in Belfast, has defended the practice, while the British Association of Biological Anthropology and Osteoarcheology (BABAO) has raised concerns regarding the ethical and legal origins of such items. Meanwhile, Belfast Harbour Police have confirmed an ongoing investigation into a separate skull seized from a business in the Harbour Estate in April 2026.
Why academics are challenging the trade
Anthropologists from BABAO sent a joint letter in April questioning the ethics of selling human remains. Dr. Trish Biers, a human remains expert on the board of trustees for BABAO, stated that while the trade may be legal in some instances, it remains ethically problematic because the remains are those of human beings who have simply stopped breathing. Biers noted that many remains were historically obtained through murder, kidnapping, or exploitation of the poor. She warned that the rise of social media has contributed to a spike in the online sale of remains, which collectors sometimes convert into items like lamps or jewelry.
Did You Know? The Egyptian mummy head currently listed by On The Square Emporium was reportedly brought to the UK by a British soldier during World War One and remained within a family collection for a century.
Defense of the auction house
Justin Lowry, the owner of On The Square Emporium, maintains that once a person dies, their remains become inanimate objects. He argued that collectors appreciate the aesthetics and history of these items, comparing them to other collectible goods. Lowry defended the sale of the Egyptian head, for which a local buyer has already been secured, and rejected the notion that only museum professionals should have access to such artifacts. He claimed that thousands of similar remains are likely held in private collections and attics across the UK.
Regulatory and legal implications
The trade in human remains could face tighter restrictions if proposed legislation moves forward. Bell Ribeiro-Addy is sponsoring a bill in the UK aimed at banning the sale of human remains, citing the On The Square listing as a reason to end what she described as a “macabre trade.” In a separate development, Belfast Harbour Police are conducting carbon dating on a skull seized in April 2026 to determine the legality of its sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What items is On The Square Emporium currently selling?
The auction house has listed a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy head and a Dayak tribal trophy skull from Borneo, Indonesia.
What is the status of the investigation by Belfast Harbour Police?
In April 2026, police seized a skull from a business in the Harbour Estate. The item is currently undergoing carbon dating to assess the legality of its sale.
What is the position of the British Association of Biological Anthropology and Osteoarcheology?
BABAO members argue that the sale of human remains is ethically problematic, noting that very few imported human remains were obtained ethically or legally.
