Cambridge University has uncovered over 350,000 African artifacts, manuscripts, and specimens in its archives, many tied to British colonialism. The discovery, led by Dr. Eva Namusoke, revealed items ranging from Asante gold looted during the Third Anglo-Asante War to objects linked to the 1897 British-led looting of the Benin Kingdom. Most of the artifacts are undocumented and not on display, reflecting limited recognition of the African labor and expertise involved in their collection. The items, stored across the university’s museums, botanic garden, and library, include Maasai armlets, early photographs of Africans, and Egyptian archaeological finds. The findings are part of the “Collections-Connections-Communities” initiative, which aims to address the colonial origins of these collections. Dr. Namusoke’s report emphasizes the need for further research and engagement with African communities. It also calls for increased public visibility to confront historical injustices and recognize the contributions of African workers.
SOURCE: BBC