This book examines the history of Belgian physical anthropology in the long nineteenth century and discusses how the notion of âraceâ structured Belgian pasts and presents as well as relations between metropole and empire. In a context of competing European nationalisms Belgian anthropologists mainly used physical characters like skull form and the color of hair and eyes to delimitate âracesâ which were believed to be permanent and existent. Their belief in a supposed racial superiority was however above all telling about their own origins and physical characters. Although it is often assumed that these ideas were subsequently transferred to the colony the case of Belgian colonization in Congo shows that colonial administrators at least in theory were reluctant to use the idea of permanent âracesâ because they needed the possibility of âevolutionâ to legitimize their actions as part of a âcivilizing missionâ. In reality however colonization was based on military occupation and economic exploitation with devastating effects. This book analyzes how in this violent context widespread racial prejudices in fact dehumanized Congolese. This not only allowed colonizers to act inhuman but also reduced Congolese or their body parts to objects that could be measured photographed casted and âcollectedâ. This volume will be of use to students and scholars alike interested in social and cultural history as well as imperial and colonial history. . Language: English