Germany Returns 574 Colonial Skulls to West Africa | Restitution

A German foundation has announced plans to repatriate hundreds of human skulls taken from West Africa during the colonial era, marking a significant step in addressing historical injustices. The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK), which oversees Berlin's state museums, revealed on April 22, 2026, that provenance research on nearly 600 skulls has been completed, paving the way for their return to countries including Cameroon, Togo, Ghana, and Nigeria.

The repatriation of colonial artifacts has become a growing priority for Germany as it reckons with its imperial past.

Provenance Research Unveils Dark History

The research project, conducted between 2021 and 2026 in collaboration with scholars from Togo and Cameroon, examined 574 skulls stored at the Museum of Prehistory and Early History in Berlin. The findings, published in a new volume titled Human Remains from the Former German Colonies in West Africa: Recontextualisation and Approaches to Restitution, traced the origins of the remains:

• 336 skulls linked to present-day Cameroon
• 151 skulls traced to Togo
• 23 skulls attributed to Ghana
• 1 skull identified as originating from Nigeria
• 63 skulls could not be precisely identified

Many of the remains came from forced laborers who died building German railways in Cameroon, victims of battlefield executions, and plundered burial sites. The collection was originally assembled by the Charité hospital in Berlin for pseudo-scientific "racial research" before being transferred to the museum in 2011.

Germany's Colonial Legacy

Germany's colonial empire, established during the Scramble for Africa in 1884, included territories in present-day Cameroon, Togo, Namibia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, and parts of Oceania. The colonial period was marked by brutal repression, including the Herero and Nama genocide in Namibia (1904–1908), which the United Nations has recognized as the first genocide of the 20th century. Thousands of indigenous people were killed, and their skulls were sent to Germany for racist anthropological studies.

The German colonial genocide in Namibia remains a painful chapter in bilateral relations, with Germany formally acknowledging the atrocities in 2021.

Previous Repatriation Efforts

This is not Germany's first attempt to return looted human remains. In 2019, 19 skulls of Nama and Herero victims were handed back to Namibia. In 2022, Germany returned looted cultural artifacts to Nigeria, including Benin bronzes. The SPK has also completed provenance research on skulls from German East Africa, identifying 904 remains linked to Rwanda, 202 to Tanzania, and 22 to Kenya, and has declared readiness for their immediate return.

Path to Repatriation

SPK President Marion Ackermann stated: "Indien mogelijk moeten de menselijke botten kunnen terugkeren naar de plaats waar ze vandaan komen" ("Where possible, the human bones should be able to return to the place they came from"). The foundation has formally offered the remains to the countries of origin, though logistical and diplomatic arrangements for their transfer are still being finalized.

The restitution of human remains from museums involves complex negotiations regarding cultural sensitivities, legal frameworks, and proper burial practices.

Impact and Significance

The repatriation represents a crucial step in Germany's ongoing reckoning with its colonial past. Activists and descendant communities have long demanded the return of ancestral remains, arguing that their retention in European museums perpetuates colonial violence. The SPK's research project is part of a broader effort examining approximately 7,700 skulls in its historical anthropological collection, with around 1,700 processed so far.

For the affected communities, the return of these remains allows for dignified burials and closure after more than a century. As the SPK continues its work, the foundation sets a precedent for other European institutions holding colonial-era human remains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are German museums returning skulls to Africa?

The skulls were taken during Germany's colonial rule in Africa (1884–1918) for racist, pseudo-scientific research. Following years of provenance research and growing pressure from activists and descendant communities, Germany is now repatriating these remains as part of acknowledging its colonial crimes.

How many skulls are being returned?

A total of 574 skulls from West Africa have been identified for repatriation: 336 to Cameroon, 151 to Togo, 23 to Ghana, and 1 to Nigeria. Additionally, over 1,100 skulls from East Africa (Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya) have also been documented for return.

What was the purpose of collecting these skulls?

German colonial authorities and scientists collected skulls to support racist theories of racial hierarchy. The remains were used in anthropological studies that falsely claimed European superiority over African peoples.

Has Germany returned colonial artifacts before?

Yes. Germany has returned skulls to Namibia in 2019, looted cultural objects to Namibia and Nigeria, and has ongoing restitution programs for artifacts from several former colonies.

When will the skulls be returned to their home countries?

No exact timeline has been set. The SPK has offered the remains to the respective governments, and negotiations are underway. Previous repatriations have taken several months to arrange due to logistical and diplomatic requirements.

Sources

• Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK) press release, April 22, 2026
• Deutsche Welle (DW) coverage of colonial skull repatriation
• NOS Netherlands news report, April 22, 2026
• United Nations documentation on the Herero and Nama genocide