Curious - Taken, studied, displayed: Readdressing the University of Edinburgh’s African skull collections One of the largest anatomical collections in the UK is held by the University of Edinburgh’s Anatomical Museum, including human remains from across the world. Specimens from the collections have been used to teach medical students for 300 years, though in most cases human remains were taken without consent through the British Empire’s colonial networks. Almost 200 of these specimens are skulls unethically brought from Africa to Edinburgh in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries through British colonial activity. This talk is based on a recent project to research and improve documentation of the Anatomical Museum’s African skull collections as a basis for future repatriation requests. Ash Charlton will share the stories of the individuals whose skulls are in the collection, joined by Malcolm MacCallum for Q&A, hosted by Omolabake Fakunle. Sep 09 2025 18.00 - 19.00 Curious - Taken, studied, displayed: Readdressing the University of Edinburgh’s African skull collections A conversation on the histories, legacies, and repatriation of Edinburgh’s African skull collections. Part of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Curious Festival. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22-26 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PQ Find the venue Tickets (free)
Curious - Taken, studied, displayed: Readdressing the University of Edinburgh’s African skull collections One of the largest anatomical collections in the UK is held by the University of Edinburgh’s Anatomical Museum, including human remains from across the world. Specimens from the collections have been used to teach medical students for 300 years, though in most cases human remains were taken without consent through the British Empire’s colonial networks. Almost 200 of these specimens are skulls unethically brought from Africa to Edinburgh in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries through British colonial activity. This talk is based on a recent project to research and improve documentation of the Anatomical Museum’s African skull collections as a basis for future repatriation requests. Ash Charlton will share the stories of the individuals whose skulls are in the collection, joined by Malcolm MacCallum for Q&A, hosted by Omolabake Fakunle. Sep 09 2025 18.00 - 19.00 Curious - Taken, studied, displayed: Readdressing the University of Edinburgh’s African skull collections A conversation on the histories, legacies, and repatriation of Edinburgh’s African skull collections. Part of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Curious Festival. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22-26 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PQ Find the venue Tickets (free)
Sep 09 2025 18.00 - 19.00 Curious - Taken, studied, displayed: Readdressing the University of Edinburgh’s African skull collections A conversation on the histories, legacies, and repatriation of Edinburgh’s African skull collections. Part of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Curious Festival.
