Sunday, March 06, 2016

National Museums in Liverpool returns Aboriginal skull to Australia

The International Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
March 4, 2016

LONDON – The National Museums in Liverpool has returned the skull of an indigenous Aboriginal Australian that was taken from the country 100 years ago. The remains were returned to members of the Ngarrindjeri people during a ceremony in Liverpool. Thought to date to the 19th century, very little is known about its origins. The remains were brought to the UK by Dr William Broad, of Liverpool, in 1948 after he visited Australia between 1902 and 1904 and published works on skeletal remains in the country.

Dr David Fleming, director of National Museums Liverpool, said: "The remains entered our collections many years ago and it is fitting that they are being returned to their homeland."

George Trevorrow, a member of the Ngarrindjeri said: "We are here to take our ancestor back home. We believe that if there is a part of our ancestor missing and taken to another area that spirit never rests until their remains are put together in their home ground." He added: "There are about 600 Aborigine remains held in British museums. There have probably been around 300 plus returns from the UK over the last ten years”.

More here.

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