16. Sara Baartman, the Hottentot Venus, 1810

Abducted and brought to London in 1810, this young South African girl was put on display at pubs, fairs, museums and universities because of her 'unusual' physical appearance. A debate ensued between abolitionists and those who wanted to study her from a scientific point of view. She died at the age of 25, and her skeleton was displayed in a Paris museum until 1974. Sara Baartman's remains were returned to South Africa in 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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