University of Edinburgh Repatriates Four Tribal Warrior Skulls to Taiwan, Addressing Colonial Legacy

University returns skulls of Paiwan tribesmen taken as war trophies during the Japanese invasion of Taiwan in 1874, marking the first-ever repatriation of its kind for the island.

• The University of Edinburgh repatriated four skulls of the Paiwan tribesmen to Taiwan, addressing its colonial history. The skulls were taken as war trophies during the Japanese invasion of southern Taiwan in 1874.
• The skulls were presented to dignitaries from the Mudan community in a formal ceremony, marking the first repatriation of its kind for Taiwan. They will be temporarily placed in the National Museum of Prehistory until a permanent resting place is confirmed.
• The skulls reached Edinburgh in 1907 and were part of the University's Anatomical Museum, used in the study of anatomy, anthropology, and the discredited idea of phrenology.
• The university's decision to return the skulls is part of a wider review to address past associations with the Transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, and other aspects of race. In 2019, the university returned nine skulls to Sri Lanka that were also taken during the British colonial period.
• The skulls were originally taken by a US Navy officer who accompanied the Japanese as a military advisor. They were passed through several hands, including those of a US doctor and skull collector, before reaching the University of Edinburgh.

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