Planned Plunder, the British Museum, and the 1868 Maqdala Expedition

Abstract In 1863, Emperor Tewodros II of Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea) took a British consul hostage; five years later, the sent punitive expedition. This military expedition continued brutal tradition earlier ones shaped later campaigns in Sudan West Africa 1890s. Typically, large contingent non-military personnel accompanied these expeditions 1868 to Maqdala was no different. What unique for inclusion member staff from Museum. We argue that letter Charles Thomas Newton, keeper Department Greek Roman Antiquities, Sir Roderick Murchison, president Royal Geographical Society (RGS), illustrates plunder cultural heritage planned. also did not go plan. The man museum made this museum's history. acquisition objects through colonial violence constitutes strong moral reason their repatriation Museum numerous institutions which they are dispersed. Understanding planning involved entanglement politics imperialism with scientific constituted backbone Victorian Britain.