Swedish researcher Gustaf Retzius took remains from burial sites in Finland to Sweden 150 years ago. Retzius followed the scientific consensus that prevailed in Sweden, among others, towards the end of the 19th century. By measuring skulls, scientists tried to find evidence that different human races exist. But according to modern research, no such evidence has been found.
In Sweden, since 2018, various activist groups have demanded that the remains be returned to Finland. According to the Committee for the Return of Finnish Remains, the research has had a far-reaching negative impact on the status of the Swedish Finns in Swedish society.
In February, the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture asked the Swedish government to return the human remains found at Karolinska Institutet.
– From the government’s side, we got this on our table in February, and we are now making the decision a few months later, so we have acted very quickly, replies Education Minister Mats Persson (L).
The origin of the remains
According to a report from the Karolinska Institute (KI), the origin of some of the human remains is not precisely known. However, KI and the Finnish authorities have agreed that this does not prevent the remains from being returned to Finland.
In the video, Education Minister Mats Persson answers three questions about the Finnish remains.
In the clip, Education Minister Mats Persson (L) talks about how the government’s work with the Finnish remains has progressed. Photo: SVT/Marcus Nilson