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France to hand over mummified Maori head to New Zealand

The mummified, tattooed head of an ancient Maori warrior is to be returned to New Zealand after spending decades in a French museum.

Monday's handover of the "toi moko" follows years of campaigning by New Zealand officials and Maori elders.

It has been held at the Museum of Rouen in northern France since 1875.

More than 300 such heads have been returned from several countries since New Zealand began requesting their return.

French museum officials say they have no idea how the "toi moko" - which is intricately tattooed and has one damaged eye socket - came to be in their possession. ...

Read entire article at BBC