UK Auction House Cancels Sale of Naga Human Skull After Protests

The withdrawal follows widespread condemnation from Nagaland's leaders and activists, highlighting the colonial legacy and ethical concerns of auctioning human remains.

The Swan auction house in Oxfordshire planned to sell a 19th-century Naga human skull, sparking protests from Nagaland and calls for its repatriation.
Nagaland's Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation led demands for the auction's cancellation, labeling it an act of dehumanization.
The auction house pulled the skull and other human remains from its listings after facing backlash from Indigenous groups and international critics.
Lord Paul Boateng and other UK figures have called for legal reforms to prevent the sale of human remains, citing ethical and colonial concerns.
The incident has intensified discussions about the repatriation of Indigenous artifacts and remains held by private collectors and museums worldwide.