A historian is trying to solve the puzzle of what happened to an African emperor’s garments that were stolen 156 years ago – and believes they may have found their way to Manchester.
Emperor Tewodros II had his prized coat and scarf ripped from his body during a British invasion of Ethiopia in 1868.
Andrew Heavens is urging people to check their attics as he believes parts of the items may be lost in the city.
He said finding any relic of the emperor would be “a huge deal”.
Ethiopia is appealing for the return of any artefacts taken during the battle “in the same way Greece wants the Elgin Marbles back”, Mr Heavens said.
Britain’s invasion saw soldiers charging into the east African mountain kingdom of Abyssinia – now known as Ethiopia – in a bid to free European captives.
Defeating the emperor, who took his own life amid the destruction, the British then fled, taking with them various treasures including gold crowns, illuminated manuscripts and sacred carvings.
They also ripped up the emperor’s scarf and coat, and cut off locks of his hair for souvenirs.
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