The University of Edinburgh has returned six skulls of Native American individuals to the Muscogee Nation in a significant act of repatriation, aimed at addressing the university’s historical ties to racial discrimination. This decision follows a summit between tribal leaders and university officials, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to rectify past injustices associated with colonialism and racism.
The skulls were originally part of a collection acquired in the late 19th century by the Edinburgh Phrenological Society, an organization that adhered to the discredited practice of phrenology. This pseudoscience erroneously posited that a person’s intellect and character could be determined by the shape of their skull. The skulls were transferred to the University of Edinburgh’s Department of Anatomy in 1886 after the society closed.
The repatriation is especially significant given the context of the Muscogee Nation’s history. The tribe was forcibly relocated by the “Indian Removal Act” of 1830, an event now widely recognized as a form of ethnic cleansing. The journey westward, known as the “Trail of Tears,” resulted in the deaths of thousands as they were driven from their ancestral lands around the Mississippi River to Oklahoma.
During the return ceremony, David Hill, Principal Chief of the Muscogee Nation, expressed gratitude to the university for this act of recognition. He remarked, “We have been blessed with a tremendous honour and respect from our friends at the University of Edinburgh with the return of these ancestral remains. What makes this occasion even more special and meaningful for us is that we had to travel over 4,000 miles and cross an ocean to receive the kind of dignity and decency that we still cannot find here at home.”
The University of Edinburgh has acknowledged its responsibility in caring for its collections and recognizing the historical context surrounding them. Professor Tom Gillingwater, chair of Anatomy, highlighted the importance of repatriation in fostering relationships with communities worldwide. He stated, “Caring for and addressing the history of our collections is a key responsibility for the university and repatriations play a central role in this work.”
This initiative is part of a broader movement by the University of Edinburgh to confront its colonial legacy. The institution’s first repatriation occurred over 75 years ago, and recent efforts have intensified, including the return of skulls of three indigenous Ainu people to Japan in 2025. Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to addressing past racial injustices, saying, “Repatriations are an important part of our work to confront our history.”
As part of its ongoing repatriation efforts, the University of Edinburgh is reportedly in confidential discussions regarding the return of an additional 185 skulls taken from Africa. These actions reflect a growing recognition of the need to address historical wrongs and foster dialogue about racial equity and justice.
The return of the skulls to the Muscogee Nation is not just a symbolic gesture; it represents a step towards healing and reconciliation for a community that has endured significant trauma due to colonial actions. The university’s actions may inspire similar institutions to reevaluate their collections and consider the broader implications of their historical acquisitions.
