aMU delves into the colonial history of Marseille aboard the Mars Imperium portal – News – CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance [Skip to content](#main) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-11-Bta7Grvo.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-10-DJMNX6l7.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-08-Bbt_UM7-.svg) [ ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg)](https://civis.eu/en) - [ Discover ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance) - [ What is CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Our work ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Mission, Vision & Values ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/mission-vision-values) - [ Governance & Management ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Who's Who ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) [Open Labs & Civic engagement ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Learn ](https://civis.eu/en/learn) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Flexible Learning ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/build-your-learning-path-flexible-offer) - [ Master’s Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Study abroad ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) [Discover the projects led by our students in 2025-2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026) [CIVIS Museum University Forum ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/CIVIS-Museum-University-Forum) - [ Teach ](https://civis.eu/en/teach) - [ Calls for Projects ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/civis-calls) - [ Innovate your Teaching ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Resources for Educators ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/resources-for-educators) [CIVIS BIPs: strong impact and high satisfaction, new report finds ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/civis-bips-strong-impact-and-high-satisfaction-new-report-finds) [When art speaks louder than headlines: CIVIS Open Lab participants reclaim the meaning of home ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/when-art-speaks-louder-than-headlines-civis-open-lab-reclaims-the-meaning-of-home) - [ Research ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research) - [ Research Collaboration ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-collaboration) - [ Careers, Networks & Mobilities ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Resources for Researchers ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/resources-for-researchers) [I am an academic/ researcher ](https://civis.eu/en/i-am-an-academic-researcher) [Facing Common Challenges, Shaping Joint Solutions for Africa and Europe ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/facing-common-challenges-shaping-joint-solutions-for-africa-and-europe) - [ Connect ](https://civis.eu/en/connect) - [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/civis-days) - [ Civil Society ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Contact us ](https://civis.eu/en/contact) - [ Press Corner & Branding ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [Who’s Who ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) [Fake It Till You News It: Challenges and Solutions in Modern Media Student Innovation Forum ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026/civis-creathon-contest) [ Our stories ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) en - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) Menu - [Discover](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-29) - [ What is CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Our work ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Mission, Vision & Values ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/mission-vision-values) - [ Governance & Management ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Who's Who ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) - [Learn](https://civis.eu/en/learn) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-30) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Flexible Learning ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/build-your-learning-path-flexible-offer) - [ Master’s Programmes ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Study abroad ](https://civis.eu/en/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) - [Teach](https://civis.eu/en/teach) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-31) - [ Calls for Projects ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/civis-calls) - [ Innovate your Teaching ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Resources for Educators ](https://civis.eu/en/teach/resources-for-educators) - [Research](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-32) - [ Research Collaboration ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-collaboration) - [ Careers, Networks & Mobilities ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Resources for Researchers ](https://civis.eu/en/providing-the-tools-for-innovative-research/resources-for-researchers) - [Connect](https://civis.eu/en/connect) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-33) - [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/civis-days) - [ Civil Society ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Contact us ](https://civis.eu/en/contact) - [ Press Corner & Branding ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [ Our stories ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) en - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) 1. [The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) 2. aMU delves into the colonial history of Marseille aboard the Mars Imperium portal aMU delves into the colonial history of Marseille aboard the Mars Imperium portal =================================================================================== CIVIS Highlights 28 April 2025 In the face of controversy over colonial traces in Marseille's urban space, a new digital project sheds light on the imperial past of the city, responding to current debates on colonial heritage. The *Mars Imperium* portal offers a documented approach to the imperial and (post)colonial history of Marseille, filling a historical gap on these sensitive issues. ![](/storage/files/april2025-1.jpg) ©Agence Rol, BnF/Gallica The project is based on a worrying academic observation: despite a number of noteworthy works, the imperial history of Marseilles remains fragmented and often cluttered with preconceived ideas. This fragmentation makes it impossible to properly assess the impact of colonial rule on Marseilles society in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, or to understand current tensions and grievances. At a time when debates are intensifying over the material traces of the colonial past (statues at Saint-Charles station, museum objects, urban place names), there is an urgent need for a rigorous, comprehensive and accessible historical approach. [Mars Imperium](https://marsimperium.org/) is organised around five platforms, each approaching colonial history from a specific angle: 1. A webdocumentary of 81, 5-minute videos, organised around nine themes 2. Digital walks exploring colonial urban traces in Marseille 3. A documentary film on the 1922 Colonial Exhibition 4. A digital showcase presenting the Musée Colonial's collections through some 40 objects. 5. A media library giving access to archives and research sources In total, almost 1,500 documents have been compiled on this free portal. ![](/storage/files/april2025.png) ©Detroit Publishing Co. defunct postcard publisher based in Detroit, Michigan. Innovative browsing and thematic pathways ----------------------------------------- One of the project's major innovations is its cross-platform navigation. An algorithm suggests resources with a thematic, spatial or temporal link to the page being consulted, creating alternative routes through this vast documentary database. The portal also offers specific thematic paths on emerging subjects such as anti-colonial mobilisations, the decolonisation of the public sphere, colonial sciences, the slave trade and slavery, and gender and racism. Designed for all audiences, *Mars Imperium* enables everyone to take ownership of this complex history and understand how the imperial past continues to shape Marseilles and contemporary France. **Find out more from the [original story](https://www.univ-amu.fr/en/node/11001), in French.** ### Latest Highlights: [*Why do Spaniards feel lonely? A UAM-led study tells us*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/why-do-spaniards-feel-lonely-a-uam-led-study-tells-us) [*University of Salzburg celebrates cultural monument conservation success*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/university-of-salzburg-celebrates-cultural-monument-conservation-success) [*UNIL seizes the opportunity offered by CIVIS Seed Funding to facilitate access to university for migrants*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/unil-seizes-civis-seed-funding-opportunities-to-facilitate-access-to-university-for-migrants) [*Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee: knowledge and compassion together can make a difference*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/nobel-peace-prize-laureate-leymah-gbowee-knowledge-compassion-together-difference) [*Student-led project brings to life a festival committed to the socio-ecological transition at the ULB*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/student-led-project-brings-to-life-a-festival-committed-to-the-socio-ecological-transition-at-the-ulb) Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/post-it-risks-800x600.jpg?token=3f32ba7f3ab0220e88eeac41defdd8bf)Innovative micro-credential for professionals on AI for the workplace launched by CIVIS Learn 10 February 2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/innovative-micro-credential-professionals-ai-workplace-civis) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/pic-1-2-800x600.jpg?token=69133e274895176008d204580e76b040)Astronomers discover a superheated star factory in the early universe CIVIS Highlights 16 December 2025 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/astronomers-discover-a-superheated-star-factory-in-the-early-universe) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/amu-science-art-festiva-800x600.jpg?token=cde16a037d61b3a176432e0622b52977)The links between science and beliefs, debated at the amU' Science and Arts Festival 2025 CIVIS Highlights 26 November 2025 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/the-links-between-science-and-beliefs-debated-at-the-amu-science-and-arts-festival-2025) [Discover all our stories](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) [ The saltwater tolerance is what kept the dinosaur-eating giant crocodile alive, UT-led study reveals ](< https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/the-saltwater-tolerance-is-what-kept-the-dinosaur-eating-giant-crocodile-alive-ut-led-study-reveals >) [ CIVIS Unit Summit: A Community in Action ](< https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/civis-unit-summit-a-community-in-action >) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither can be held responsible for them. ### People - [ Students ](https://civis.eu/en/i-am-a-student) - [ Academics & researchers ](https://civis.eu/en/i-am-an-academic-researcher) - [ Administrators ](https://civis.eu/en/i-am-an-administrator) - [ Civil society ](https://civis.eu/en/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Press corner & Branding ](https://civis.eu/en/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) ### Useful links - [ Resources ](https://civis.eu/en/resources) - [ CIVIS Agora ](https://civis.eu/en/civis-agora-the-operational-hub-of-the-civis-digital-campus) - [ European Universities initiative ](https://civis.eu/en/european-universities-initiative) - [ Past Events ](https://civis.eu/en/past-events) - [ Contact ](https://civis.eu/en/contact) [Newsletters](https://civis.eu/en/connect/newsletters) ### Social networks - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/instagram.svg) Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/civis.eu/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/linkedin.svg) LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/civis-eu) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/facebook.svg) Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/CIVISEuropeanUniversity/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/youtube.svg) YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCm0FfreX81BuNH-znlRGQ) © 2026 – CIVIS – All rights reserved - [ Cookie Policy ](https://civis.eu/en/cookie-policy) - [ Privacy policy ](https://civis.eu/en/privacy-policy) Website by [Typi Design](https://typi.be) • Design by [Atelier Milky](https://ateliermilky.com) [ ](#top) Search