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Two skulls likely belonging to enslaved people returned to Brazil after Harvard used them in eugenics studies

First reported Wed, 11 Nov 2026 22:50:37 GMT · Last updated

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Two skulls likely belonging to enslaved people returned to Brazil after Harvard used them in eugenics studies
The Guardian · published 2026-11-11 22:50 UTC
Two skulls likely belonging to enslaved people returned to Brazil after Harvard used them in eugenics studies
Lead image via The Guardian

<p>Remains believed to have belonged to Africans or Afro-Brazilians repatriated after being flown back by diplomats </p><p>Two skulls, including that of a man believed to have taken part in Brazil’s greatest slave revolt but whose remains were taken to the United States and used in racist eugenics studies at Harvard University, were repatriated on Wednesday.</p><p>The remains had been outside Brazil since the 19th century. One was taken about 190 years ago from Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia; the other, about 160 years ago, from Rio de Janeiro – and were welcomed back in moving, subdued ceremonies in both cities.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/nov/11/harvard-skulls-repatriated-brazil">Continue reading...</a>

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  • The Guardian
    Two skulls likely belonging to enslaved people returned to Brazil after Harvard used them in eugenics studies

    <p>Remains believed to have belonged to Africans or Afro-Brazilians repatriated after being flown back by diplomats </p><p>Two skulls, including that of a man believed to have taken part in Brazil’s greatest slave revolt but whose remains were taken to the United States and used in racist eugenics studies at Harvard University, were repatriated on Wednesday.</p><p>The remains had been outside Brazil since the 19th century. One was taken about 190 years ago from Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia; the other, about 160 years ago, from Rio de Janeiro – and were welcomed back in moving, subdued ceremonies in both cities.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/nov/11/harvard-skulls-repatriated-brazil">Continue reading...</a>

    Wed, 11 Nov 2026 22:50:37 GMT

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  1. 2026-11-11 22:50The Guardian — Two skulls likely belonging to enslaved people returned to Brazil after Harvard used them in eugenics studies

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