Zambia wants skull back
2005-02-07 13:56
Zambia wants skull back
Lusaka - The Zambian government is trying to retrieve the skull of Broken Hill man from the United Kingdom.
The skull was discovered on June 17 1921 during the start of mining operations in Kabwe town.
It was the first early human fossil to be found in Africa and is believed to belong to an early man who lived about 300 000 years ago.
Tourism minister Patrick Kalifungwa said the British government had the right to take the skull to London at the time, because Zambia was a British colony.
"But since then they've refused to return it, saying no country has exclusive rights to the skull," he said. "They say Broken Hill man moved from place to place so Zambia cannot claim ownership."
He said Zambia would nevertheless continue negotiations for the return of the skull, not only to preserve the country's heritage, but also to enhance Zambia's attraction as a tourism destination.
The Broken Hill skull has many traits of earlier homo erectus and hints of modern man, or homo sapiens.
Ten of its upper teeth have cavities and there is evidence of dental abscesses in the upper jaw.
There's a puncture wound near the ear, caused either by a sharp tool or the tooth of an animal.