GOVERNMENT has expressed optimism over the possible return of the Broken Hill man skull to Zambia as the matter comes up for hearing before UNESCO in Paris tomorrow, 31st May, 2018.
Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Rev. Howard Sikwela, who is in France leading a delegation of experts to present Zambia’s case for the return of the prehistoric skull from the United Kingdom, said it was imperative that the specimen was brought back to the country for purposes of tourism including research in the education sector.
Rev. Sikwela is leading a delegation of experts namely; Collins Chipote – Executive Director National Heritage and Conservation, Mr. Flexon Mizinga – Director General National Museums Board , Professor Francis Musonda – Senior academic, Dept of historical and Archaeological Studies at UNZA and the Zambian Embassy in France to attend to the Case of the Broken Hill Man which was presented to UNESCO last year.
The matter is scheduled to come up before the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property (ICPRCP) to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in case of Illicit appropriation.
Zambia, had earlier requested the UNESCO through the ICPRCP to mediate between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Zambian Government for the return of the specimen which was taken from the country in 1921.
The Skull was discovered in 1921 in Broken Hill, now Kabwe, during a mining excavation by the Rhodesia Broken Hill Development Company who removed it from the country and has been in the custody of the British Natural History Museum ever since.
Zambia has had protracted efforts to recover the early man specimen from the United Kingdom hence the matter being brought before the UNESCO committee.
The Intergovernmental Committee is composed of 22 Member States of UNESCO elected by the General Conference at its ordinary sessions.
It meets in regular plenary session at least once and not more than twice every two years to look into matters of illicit appropriation of cultural property among nations.
Besides the Broken Hill Man case by Zambia, Greece will also present a against the United Kingdom in a bid to recover the Parthenon Sculptures while Turkey will also present the case of the Zeugma Mosaics.
Iraq has since also given notice to present more information regarding a case of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Good cause. All the best Zambia!
Hahaha. Next we will hear that it has been sold to China.
The state house will soon issue statement that Zambia has paid $20 million for upkeep of Broken Hill soul through Lewis Mosho.
Britain please don’t listen. Give it back after 2021. They will sell it. Twapapata.
No let the British keep it. We will either lose it to theft or it will be destroyed. We can charge them a rental fee for keeping it until we have the required technology to look after it
Is that Prof. HaNsoni trying to write and report Zambia to FIFA Hagain?
@HaMubanga! You are right!
Return “Jesus” skull as well .
This priceless relic stands a greater chance of being stolen in Zambia.
It’s not in the Zambian genetic make up to preserve, and value, archaeological artifacts.
The centuries-old copper smelter at Kampangwe in Luapula is about to be flattened.
Evidence of Portuguese slave traders presence in Chief Kazembe’s area have been obliterated.
The clay brick kilns in Luanshya which gave rise to Roan Antelope township have been destroyed.
The skull is better off where it is. Chances of pawning it off to the Chinese are very high should it be handed back…
Since HH is claiming more land in the tribal Chief Mukuni and Namwala tribal bantustans, he may claim the Broken Hill Man too! He claimed a lot during privatization using underhand and inside trading methods. The guy must NEVER be entrusted with anything! He wants to sell Zambia to RSA and to …! ANyway, he is UNELECTABLE!
We already have a Skull here, which is useless. We don’t need another one, at least not in the next 20years.
******* **** you always write rubbish comments.