The hamdover during a ceremony at the University of Cumbria in Lancaster followed a request from the Ethiopian Heritage Authority (EHA) in February for the museum trust to repatriate two items from its collection in the City Museum.
Alula Pankhurst (EHA), Ruth Self and Lord Napier with a braclet – Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard
The Kings Own Royal Regiment was part of the Anglo-Indian Expedition of 1868, which rescued hostages detained by the Emperor of Ethiopia, Tewodros III.
Having rescued the hostages, the regiment acquired some objects on their way home, and these artefacts can be seen on display in the Lancaster City Museum.
Artefacts include what is believed to be the very first photographic record of a military campaign, and research also found that two items are human remains: a lock of hair believed to be from Emperor Tewodros, and a piece of cloth believed to be stained with his blood.
