After 150 Years, Skulls of 19 Black Americans Finally Return Home to New Orleans from Germany
In a historic and emotional moment, the skulls of 19 Black Americans who were used in the 19th century as part of now discredited racial science have finally returned home to New Orleans from Germany. The remains, which were part of a collection held by the University of Freiburg in Germany, were used in the study of phrenology, a pseudoscience that claimed to determine a person’s character and mental abilities based on the shape of their skull.
The skulls were originally taken from the United States in the mid-1800s by a doctor named Samuel Morton, who was a prominent figure in the field of phrenology. Morton collected the skulls of Black Americans, Indigenous peoples, and others to support his theories about racial differences. The skulls eventually ended up in the collection of the University of Freiburg, where they remained for over a century.
The return of the skulls to New Orleans is the result of years of advocacy and negotiation by a coalition of activists, scholars, and community members. The effort to repatriate the remains was led by the New Orleans African American Museum, which worked with the University of Freiburg and the German government to secure their return.
The skulls arrived in New Orleans earlier this week and were greeted with a solemn ceremony at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. They were then transported to the New Orleans African American Museum, where they will be on display for a limited time before being laid to rest in a traditional jazz funeral on Saturday.
The repatriation of the skulls has been met with mixed emotions in New Orleans. While many see it as a long-overdue acknowledgment of the harm done to Black Americans in the name of science, others are concerned about the implications of bringing the remains back to the city. Some worry that the return of the skulls could reopen old wounds and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about race.
Despite these concerns, the coalition behind the repatriation effort is determined to honor the memory of the individuals whose remains were used in the study of phrenology. They see the return of the skulls as an opportunity to educate the public about the history of racial science and its impact on marginalized communities.
As the skulls are laid to rest in a traditional jazz funeral on Saturday, the New Orleans African American Museum is planning a series of events to commemorate the occasion. These events will include panel discussions, art exhibits, and performances by local musicians, all aimed at celebrating the lives of the individuals whose remains were used in the study of phrenology.
The repatriation of the skulls is a significant step towards acknowledging the harm done to Black Americans in the name of science. It serves as a reminder of the ways in which racism and discrimination have been perpetuated through pseudoscientific theories and practices. By bringing the remains back to New Orleans, the coalition behind the effort hopes to spark conversations about the legacy of racial science and its lasting impact on society.
As the city prepares to lay the skulls to rest, one can’t help but wonder: what other relics of the past are still waiting to be brought home and given the respect they deserve? The repatriation of the skulls is a powerful reminder of the importance of confronting the dark chapters of history and working towards a more just and equitable future.