Edinburgh University returns remains used for racist skull studies to America

THE University of Edinburgh has returned the skulls of native American people used for racist phrenology studies in the late 19th century. Six skulls have been returned to the Muscogee Nation in America following a summit between leaders of the tribal nation and university chiefs as part of larger repatriation efforts. L-R Front Row: MCN Secretary of Culture & Humanities RaeLynn Butler, Second Chief Duck Creek Ceremonial Ground Scott Stafford, MCN Principal Chief David Hill, University of Edinburgh Principal Professor Sir Peter Mathieson. The Edinburgh Phrenological Society, which was a separate but interlinked entity to the University of Edinburgh, acquired the skulls from an American phrenologist sometime before 1858. Despite phrenology never being taught at the University of Edinburgh, around 1,000 skulls have been retained to this day.