Human remains of former Emperor of Ethiopia discovered at Lancaster City Museum
Ancient relics currently held at a Lancaster museum are to be formally handed over to the Ethiopian Heritage Authority.
Following a request from the Ethiopian Heritage Authority (ETA) in February, the Kings Own Royal Regiment Museum Trust (KORRMT) has agreed to repatriate two items from its collection in the City Museum.
The Kings Own Royal Regiment was part of the Anglo-Indian Expedition of 1868, which rescued hostages detained by the Emperor of Ethiopia, Tewodros III.
The KORRMT holds several artefacts from this expedition, including what is believed to be the very first photographic record of a military campaign, and research also found that two items are human remains: a lock of hair believed to be from Emperor Tewodros, and a piece of cloth believed to be stained with his blood.
The KORRMT advised the ETA of their findings, and the Director General of the ETA formally requested the trust to “restitute and repatriate to Ethiopia” the two items “which are of great interest and cultural significance to the people of Ethiopia”.
The items for repatriation will be formally transferred to Prof Abebaw, Director General of the Ethiopian Heritage Authority, on May 12 in an event at the University of Cumbria’s Lancaster campus, Bowerham Road.
The campus occupies the former Bowerham Barracks, Depot of the Kings Own Royal Regiment, until its amalgamation in 1959.
Invited guests will include the Sixth Baron Napier, direct descendant of Lieutenant General Sir Robert Napier, who commanded the Abyssinia Expedition.
His Excellency the Ethiopian Ambassador will also be invited.
As part of a Museums Association/Esmée Fairbairn grant-funded project, the museum engaged Eyob Derillo, a specialist in the history of Abyssinia, and former curator of the Ethiopian collection at the British Library, to evaluate the artefacts and identify those seized after the battle at the fortress at Maqdala.
The research project involves collaboration with members of the Ethiopian community and representatives of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, to provide context and cultural perspective on these sensitive items.
The project has also funded the re-display of the Abyssinia section within the King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum.
Lancaster City Museums and the trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum are grateful to the M/A Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund for making this project possible.