Tsantsa (Shrunken Heads)

Overview:
This interdisciplinary research and public engagement initiative explored the cultural significance, ethics, and representation of tsantsas (shrunken heads) through collaboration with museums, researchers, and the Shuar and Achuar Federations of Ecuador. Combining scientific investigation with cultural perspectives, the project sought to challenge long-standing misconceptions surrounding these culturally sensitive human remains while promoting more respectful and informed public understanding.

Creative & Scientific Contribution:
Working with museums, Indigenous representatives, researchers, and media partners, I undertook non-invasive scientific analysis (including CT imaging, infrared reflectography, and microscopic examination) to investigate the manufacture and preservation of tsantsas. Alongside this research, I produced evidence-based facial approximations and contributed to museum interpretation, visual storytelling, and public-facing narratives that reconnected audiences with the individuals behind the collections. The project helped shift interpretation away from sensationalised displays towards respectful discussions of cultural identity, colonial collecting practices, ethical stewardship, and the human stories these collections represent.

Public Impact:
The research informed museum interpretation, educational resources, exhibitions, and international media productions, including National Geographic Magazine, BBC Radio 4, and the Smithsonian Channel, extending its reach to audiences of millions. Recognised with the University of Dundee Stephen Fry Award for Excellence in Public Engagement with Research, the project demonstrates how evidence-based visual communication, ethical collaboration, and interdisciplinary research can foster more inclusive conversations around cultural heritage, identity, and the responsible care of human remains.