Harvard returns to Brazil skulls of enslaved people from the 19th century

Harvard University returned two skulls of enslaved individuals from the 19th century to Brazil, marking a significant repatriation event. The skulls, housed at the Peabody Museum, were taken from Brazil in the 1800s. One skull belonged to a man involved in the Malê Revolt in Salvador, while the other belonged to a woman from the Cais do Valongo area in Rio de Janeiro. The repatriation process began in 2022 after the Islamic community identified the remains. The skulls will be studied and eventually returned to their communities for proper burial. This initiative is seen as a step towards acknowledging historical injustices and promoting racial equality in Brazil.