Skulls and Skeletons: Human Bone Collections and Accumulations

Of the parts of the human body, the bones have a unique durability that lends itself to collection. Skeletal remains can be recovered even millions of years after death, cleaned of debris, studied at length, and stored indefinitely.

Motivations for collecting human skeletal material range from the practical (in anthropology, medicine, forensics) to the ritualistic (phrenology, in the relics of martyrs and saints). This book is an examination of those motivations and the collections they have brought about--catacombs, ossuaries, mass graves, prehistoric excavations, and institutional and private collections.

The book contains sections on procuring, handling, storing, transporting, cleaning, and identifying skeletal remains. The repatriation of remains is also addressed.

"1111345406"
Skulls and Skeletons: Human Bone Collections and Accumulations

Of the parts of the human body, the bones have a unique durability that lends itself to collection. Skeletal remains can be recovered even millions of years after death, cleaned of debris, studied at length, and stored indefinitely.

Motivations for collecting human skeletal material range from the practical (in anthropology, medicine, forensics) to the ritualistic (phrenology, in the relics of martyrs and saints). This book is an examination of those motivations and the collections they have brought about--catacombs, ossuaries, mass graves, prehistoric excavations, and institutional and private collections.

The book contains sections on procuring, handling, storing, transporting, cleaning, and identifying skeletal remains. The repatriation of remains is also addressed.

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Skulls and Skeletons: Human Bone Collections and Accumulations

Skulls and Skeletons: Human Bone Collections and Accumulations

by Christine Quigley
Skulls and Skeletons: Human Bone Collections and Accumulations

Skulls and Skeletons: Human Bone Collections and Accumulations

by Christine Quigley

Paperback

$35.00 
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Overview

Of the parts of the human body, the bones have a unique durability that lends itself to collection. Skeletal remains can be recovered even millions of years after death, cleaned of debris, studied at length, and stored indefinitely.

Motivations for collecting human skeletal material range from the practical (in anthropology, medicine, forensics) to the ritualistic (phrenology, in the relics of martyrs and saints). This book is an examination of those motivations and the collections they have brought about--catacombs, ossuaries, mass graves, prehistoric excavations, and institutional and private collections.

The book contains sections on procuring, handling, storing, transporting, cleaning, and identifying skeletal remains. The repatriation of remains is also addressed.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780786438884
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date: 09/10/2008
Pages: 271
Product dimensions: 6.90(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

The late Christine Quigley authored books and articles, wrote an eclectic blog called Quigley’s Cabinet and reviewed books for Fortean Times.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Preface     
Introduction     

1. Accumulations     
Catacombs     
Ossuaries     
Mass Graves     

2. Excavations     
Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sites     
Historic Sites     
Contemporary Sites     

3. Collections     
Collectors and Collecting     
The Institutions     

4. Decoration     
ModiÞed Bones     
Arranged Bones     

5. Curation     
Procurement     
Handling, Storage, and Transport     
Cleaning and Degreasing     
Documentation     
Reconstruction and Reproduction     
Identification     

6. Repatriation     
Legislation     
Loss of Collections in the United States     
Loss of Collections Worldwide     

7. The Future of Existing Collections     
Making Compromises     
Encouraging Donation     
Collecting Data     

Appendix: Addresses     
Glossary     
Bibliography     
Index     
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