Tasmanian Aboriginal skull returning from Scotland after 170 years

A skull belonging to a young Tasmanian Aboriginal man will return to Tasmania after being in a Scottish collection for over 170 years. The skull was taken during colonial times and has been part of the University of Aberdeen's collection since it was purchased in 1852. The skull was catalogued as belonging to a "Native of Van Dieman's Land, who was shot on the Shannon River." It is believed to have been taken during the 1820s or 30s and was used for educational purposes at the university. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre approached the university in 2019 about returning the skull, and the university's board approved the decision. Andry Sculthorpe from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre emphasized the importance of acknowledging the past. He stated that the young man's murder should not be forgotten and that it is right for him to come home for a proper burial. He praised institutions that are willing to correct past wrongs. Neil Curtis, who oversees collections at the university, expressed his relief that the remains can finally be returned. He mentioned that it is unlikely the man's identity will ever be known, as his tribe is now extinct with no surviving descendants. The skull was originally part of a collection belonging to Professor William MacGillivray, an ornithologist. The University of Aberdeen also aims to identify other items that were obtained unethically in its collections. In a related action, the University of Glasgow has also returned a shell necklace to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. This necklace was gifted to the university in 1877 and had been previously denied return requests. The museum's director acknowledged the need for museums to address their histories regarding such artifacts.