A Note From our Department
Many museum collections include human remains and cultural artifacts acquired during periods of colonialism, often without the consent of the communities from which they originated. While repatriation efforts have returned many remains and objects, ongoing work highlights the importance of acknowledging these histories and supporting the ethical stewardship and return of cultural heritage.
Check These Out!
Created by the British Museum in London, this interactive exhibit covers the history of world civilizations through material remains. It covers topics ranging from: power and identity, living and dying, art and design, religion and belief, and trade and conflict. One of the earliest artifacts included in the Museum is Oludvai Chopping Tool from the Lower Paleolithic.
As part of Google's Art & Culture collection, Museo Nacional de Antropologia is available for a 360° tour of its exhibits. The page also presents clay, limestone, and basalt artifacts created by Indigenous communities. Visitors can also view high quality photographs of Kukulkán and Xólotl sculptures.
The Hokkaido Museum's exhibit spotlights the Ainu, an Indigenous group located on the northern most Japanese island. The website covers contemporary and traditional components of Ainu culture, including their experiences with discrimination and displacement. The site is available in Japanese, English, Korean, and Russian.