Cambridge University has revealed the existence of an estimated 350,000 African artifacts, manuscripts, photographs, and natural history specimens within its collections. The items, many of which have been stored away for decades, were brought to light through a 15-month investigation led by Dr. Eva Namusoke, senior curator for African Collections Future at the Fitzwilliam Museum.
Dr. Namusoke’s research spanned across the university’s eight museums, the Botanic Garden, the University Library, and various departmental archives. Among the unearthed items are Maasai armlets, a gold necklace looted during the Third Anglo-Asante War, and rare photographs of African individuals from the 1860s. However, only a small fraction of these items is currently on display, with the vast majority remaining in storage.
A Legacy of Colonization
The artefacts predominantly date back to the era of British colonization. They were acquired through various means, including donations, purchases, excavations, and, in many cases, looting or confiscation. For instance, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology holds 116 objects linked to the British punitive campaign against the Benin Kingdom in 1897, and bones of the now-extinct dodo bird were obtained through colonial ties in Mauritius.
Dr. Namusoke noted that collecting practices of the 19th century were closely tied to colonial administration, with anthropologists relying heavily on local labor and expertise to gather specimens. However, she emphasized the lack of acknowledgment of African contributions, stating, “The focus has been on European scientists, overlooking the intellectual, physical, and creative labor of African workers.”
Key Findings
The report highlights the university’s extensive African collections:
- Egypt features most prominently, with tens of thousands of archaeological artefacts and manuscripts housed at the Fitzwilliam and Archaeology and Anthropology museums.
- The Museum of Zoology holds approximately 100,000 African specimens, while the Herbarium contains lesser-studied botanical samples.
- The Duckworth Laboratory cares for about 6,750 ancient human remains from Egypt, Sudan, and other African regions, though documentation for many items is incomplete.
- The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology’s 137,000-item collection includes 29,000 photographs, some of the earliest depictions of African people.
A Call for Collaboration and Transparency
Dr. Namusoke’s findings are part of the university’s Collections-Connections-Communities initiative, which aims to reassess the institution’s relationship with colonization and enslavement. The report recommends greater transparency, enhanced research, and increased engagement with African scholars and communities.
“The next step is increasing visibility and allowing people to explore these collections themselves,” Dr. Namusoke said. The initiative underscores the need to recognize the historical context of these artefacts and foster collaboration to ensure their stories are told with integrity and inclusivity.
Cambridge University’s efforts mark a significant step toward addressing the complex legacies of colonialism, but much work remains to ensure these collections are accessible and appropriately contextualized for future generations.
