Dealing with Human Remains from Colonial Contexts

Projects on Dealing with Human Remains from Colonial Contexts in Germany

The results of the survey on human remains from colonial contexts in museums and university collections published at the end of 2023, clearly highlight the complex challenges involved in managing such collections in Germany. It underscores the need for ongoing dialogue with experts from communities of origin, museums, academia, and civil society. To support this process, the German Contact Point for Collections from Colonial Contexts is implementing activities dedicated to the sensitive and ethically responsible handling of human remains from colonial contexts in Germany.

The focus will be on the perspectives of the communities of origin on issues relating to re-humanization, science and research, repatriation, and international cooperation. Furthermore, a concept for establishing a central structure for dealing with human remains from colonial contexts in German museums and collections will be developed.

The activities aim to make knowledge visible, document repatriations, and provide space for dialogue between representatives from cultural and academic institutions, civil society, and the diaspora. Two international events – a digital expert discussion in 2025 and a conference in 2026 – will bring together international stakeholders to jointly develop ways of coming to terms with the past. These activities are therefore intended to contribute to addressing Germany’s colonial past with dignity, in collaboration, and a focus on the future.

The projects are funded by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.