Overview

• The University of Pennsylvania held a memorial service and buried the remains of 19 Black Philadelphians, whose skulls were used in racist scientific studies in the 19th century.
• Critics argue the burial process was rushed and lacked community input, with some activists and researchers calling for more efforts to identify the remains.
• The burial took place at Eden Cemetery, a historic Black cemetery, with the possibility of the burial being reversible if further identification is possible.
• The Penn Museum has pledged to repatriate more remains from its collection, amid broader discussions on the ethical treatment of human remains.
• The event has sparked a debate on the responsibility of institutions in addressing historical wrongs and the importance of community involvement in such processes.