'Naga trophy heads' removed as British museum seeks to rectify colonial past

Oxford University's Pitt Rivers Museum revealed major changes to displays as part of "decolonisation process" as it prepares to reopen its doors after months of COVID-19 induced lockdown. After a three-year-long comprehensive review led by its director, Laura Van Broekhoven, museum has decided to remove artifacts from its displays, particularly those that are closely tied to British Imperial expansion. museum will open for public from September 22 onwards. 

Re: Mexico's Fine Arts Museum Welcomes Back Visitors

museum has removed 120 Human Remains from open display including well-kwn South American Shuar tsantas (also kwn as ‘shrunken hes’), Naga trophy hes, and an Egyptian mummy of a child. All items have w been moved into stor as of w.   museum still has over 2800 human remains from different parts of world and is actively reaching out to descendant communities over next years to find most appropriate way to care for se complex items. 

Re: YouTuber Colourises Museum Of Modern Art's 1902 Film; Leaves Netizens Astonished

'Reinforced racist thinking'

"Our audience research has shown that visitors often saw Museum’s displays of human remains as a testament to or cultures being ‘sav’, ‘primitive’ or ‘gruesome’. Rar than enabling our visitors to reach a deeper understanding of each or’s ways of being, displays reinforced racist and stereotypical thinking that goes against Museum’s values today. removal of human remains also brings us in line with sector guidelines and code of ethics," Laura Van Broekhoven said in a statement on museum's website.

Re: Art Museum Accused Of Racism Names 1st Director Of Inclusion

decision comes at a time when racial protests are gaining traction across world, including in United Kingdom as people are seeking re-examination of objects taken by Empire from its colonies. western world has been witnessing protests after brutal killing of African-American man George Floyd in Minnesota, USA. Since n, many places have seen violent clashes between police and civil society, demolition of colonial- and confederate-era statues, and demand to end systematic racism.  

Re: New York’s Metropolitan Museum Of Art Reopens With Safety Protocols Amid COVID-19