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.

Full Product Details

Author:   Christine Quigley
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 17.80cm , Height: 1.40cm , Length: 25.40cm
Weight:   0.472kg
ISBN:  

9780786438884

ISBN 10:   0786438886
Pages:   271
Publication Date:   10 September 2008
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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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     

Reviews

-unique...useful---Choice; -important scientifically and historically---C&RL News; -a great job...easily understood...fascinating...richly illustrated---AGS Quarterly; -fascinating...a thoughtful, even-handed analysis...excellent---Mummytombs; -a great book...very interesting---Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology; -comprehensive...invaluable...you must own this book---Morbid Curiosity.

unique...useful --Choice; important scientifically and historically --C&RL News; a great job...easily understood...fascinating...richly illustrated --AGS Quarterly; fascinating...a thoughtful, even-handed analysis...excellent --Mummytombs; a great book...very interesting --Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology; comprehensive...invaluable...you must own this book --Morbid Curiosity.

fascinating -a thoughtful, even-handed analysis -excellent --Mummytombs

Author Information

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

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