Oxford museum led landmark removal of human remains

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

Oxford's Pitt Rivers Museum removed 120 human remains from display over six years ago as part of a decolonisation process.

Oxford's Pitt Rivers Museum became one of the first in the UK to remove human remains from display, a move that preceded similar actions by Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum by over six years. Following a review, the museum removed 120 human remains as part of a 'decolonisation process'.

The removed items included 12 shrunken heads, known as 'tsantsas', made by the Shuar and Achuar people from the rainforests of Ecuador and Peru, which had been displayed for more than 80 years. The museum also removed Naga trophy heads from northeast India. The Pitt Rivers, a department of the University of Oxford, stated that displaying human remains "reinforced racist and stereotypical thinking that goes against the museum's core values". However, critics condemned the decision at the time as an example of "politically correct gesture politics".

The museum continues to care for over 2,000 human remains from across the world, largely collected during British Imperial expansion. Among current plans, 39 human remains are set to be returned to the Naga community this year following a restitution request made by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation.

How it is being reported

• Oxford museum led landmark movement in removing human remains from displayAn Oxford museum became one of the first UK to remove human remains on display, long before Glasgow removed its mummified remains.Oxfordshire Guardian · 27 Oct, 05:00
• Oxford museum led landmark movement in removing human remains from displayAn Oxford museum became one of the first UK to remove human remains on display, long before Glasgow removed its mummified remains.Oxford Mail · 27 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Pitt Rivers Museum · University of Oxford · Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum · Oxford · Glasgow · Shuar and Achuar people · Naga community

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