Why a museum is showcasing thousands of artefacts of unknown origins

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"Manchester Museum has unveiled a new gallery showcasing thousands of African artefacts, many of which have uncertain origins, in a bid to ignite discussions surrounding colonial-era looting and restitution. The northwest England institution holds over 40,000 African objects, with the majority kept in storage after being acquired during the British Empire through trade, anthropological expeditions, confiscation, and outright looting. Some of them were given, some of them were stolen, some were taken forcefully,"

The Independent emphasizes on-the-ground reporting across issues such as reproductive rights, climate change and Big Tech, producing investigations and documentaries while refusing to use paywalls. Donations are presented as essential to send reporters to gather facts from all sides and to keep journalism accessible to a broad political spectrum, funded by those who can afford it. Manchester Museum has opened the Africa Hub to display thousands of African artefacts with uncertain origins, acknowledging acquisitions during the British Empire via trade, expeditions, confiscation and looting, and prompting public recognition and debate over restitution and shared display.

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