Researchers Find Non-Finnish Skulls in Repatriated Set
New examinations reveal that some skulls returned from Sweden to Finland in 2024 were not of Finnish origin.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Stroke
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Recent findings indicate that a portion of the 82 skulls repatriated from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden to Finland in 2024 do not belong to people of Finnish origin. The remains were originally exhumed by Gustaf Retzius in 1873.
Why it matters
The discovery complicates the effort to properly identify and rebury historical human remains that were long held in Sweden. It highlights the complexities of archival research and the challenges in verifying the ethnic background of remains collected during the 19th century.
Researchers are investigating the 82 skulls returned to Finland after new exams contradicted their original classification. These remains were primarily collected during a 1873 exhumation by Gustaf Retzius.
The players
Gustaf Retzius
He was a prominent Swedish anatomist and physical anthropologist who conducted extensive studies on human remains in the 19th century.
Karolinska Institute
This is a medical university in Sweden known for its research and historical collections of human remains.
Turku University
This is a public research university in Finland that is currently leading the academic inquiry into the origin of the repatriated skulls.
Helsinki University
This is the oldest and largest academic institution in Finland which previously contributed human remains to Swedish collections.
The details
The skulls were returned to Finland for reburial after being held at the Karolinska Institute, with some originally donated by the Helsinki University anatomical department. New studies led by Turku University experts have now determined the collection includes individuals of non-Finnish descent.
Timeline
1873: Gustaf Retzius exhumes human remains from Finnish burial sites.
2024: The Karolinska Institute returns 82 skulls to Finland.
October 2026: Researchers reveal that some repatriated skulls are not of Finnish origin.
The Big Picture
This study updates the historical record of the 2024 repatriation of human remains from the Karolinska Institute by revealing that the collection was incorrectly identified.
This finding underscores the evolving nature of historical record-keeping and its impact on how institutional collections are managed today. It highlights the importance of precise identification protocols in modern forensic and anthropological research.
The takeaway
The unexpected discovery serves as a reminder of the errors present in colonial-era anthropological collections. Future efforts regarding historical remains must prioritize rigorous genetic and anatomical verification to ensure accurate representation and respect.
Further reading
Learn more about historical anatomical research at the Stroke department page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sveriges Radio.
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