Edinburgh University’s ‘skull room’ highlights its complicated history with racist science

<p>Skulls were collected from all over the world because of some academics’ fascination with phrenology, the discredited belief that skull shape denoted intelligence</p><p>Hundreds of skulls are neatly and closely placed, cheekbone to cheekbone, in tall, mahogany-framed glass cabinets. Most carry faded, peeling labels, some bear painted catalogue numbers; one has gold teeth; and the occasional one still carries its skin tissue. This is the University of Edinburgh’s “skull room”.</p><p>Many were voluntarily donated to the university; others came from executed Scottish murderers; some Indigenous people’s skulls were brought to Scotland by military officers on expeditions or conquest missions. Several hundred were collected by supporters of the racist science of phrenology – the discredited belief that skull shape denoted intelligence and character.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/jul/28/edinburgh-university-skull-room-highlights-its-complicated-history-with-phrenology">Continue reading...</a>