Over 1000 Skulls From Germany’s African Colonies Are Still Housed In Berlin
Anyone who has even the vaguest historical knowledge of Europe can probably tell you that Germany has had a detrimentally problematic relationship with ethnic cleansing and racial superiority in its not-so-distant past. This is why the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation’s stored collection of over a thousand human skulls from Africa is courting controversy.
What’s more is that the existence of such a collection has only recently come to public attention thanks to the ARD, a German public broadcaster, who shared information about it with viewers this week. The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation is in charge of overseeing museum activities throughout the country, including the institutions that comprise Berlin’s famed Museum Island. Most of the skulls’ origins can be traced back to Rwanda and Tanzania, two places formerly colonized under Germany – an area then known as German East Africa – between 1885 and the conclusion of World War I.
While the skulls aren’t directly connected to the Holocaust, the reason for their preservation is. Germany’s colonialist history doesn’t typically get as much attention as, say, nearby countries of France, Spain, and Great Britain. Yet, the ideologies behind German colonialism do bear a chilling connection to the rise of eugenics.
This collection provides further evidence that wealthy members of imperialist nations would hoard, collect, and display the remains of indigenous people who fell at the hands of colonialism. This was a widespread custom across Europe that is already well documented by researchers and historians. Such customs were carried out in an era where ‘human zoos’ and world fairs featured displays of indigenous people held in captivity for the entertainment of white onlookers.
In the case of the Herero Wars, German colonial presence in Africa even turned genocidal. These skulls specifically are believed to have belonged to the colonialist victims of soldiers who were overseeing the portions of Africa under German rule at the time, belonging particularly to those who resisted it. Even more disturbing is the fact that researchers believe many more were actually collected by bounty hunters looking to sell the skulls of indigenous peoples to German collectors back in Europe.
Thus, the skulls display the long legacy of imperialism and white supremacy, which involved viewing human bodies as prizes to be hunted, captured, sold, and collected. On behalf of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, researchers are now working to repatriate the remains to their rightful origins.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Read Next
See & Do
Stay Curious: Experience Germany From Your Living Room
Places to Stay
The Best Spa Hotels in Baden-Baden
Guides & Tips
Top Tips for Travelling in Germany
See & Do
Craft and Culture in the Lesser-Known Gems of Eastern Germany
Places to Stay
The Best Hotels to Book in Thuringia, Germany
Architecture
Breathtakingly Beautiful Buildings in Germany
See & Do
A Voyage Through Germany: the Lowdown on River Cruising
Places to Stay
The Best Hotels to Book in Garmisch for Every Traveller
Places to Stay
The Best Hotels in Germany for Every Traveller
Guides & Tips
The Story Behind Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle
See & Do
10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Bavaria
History
Places in Germany for History Lovers
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
- Post ID: 979287
- Sponsored? No
- View Payload