Human Remains: Guide for Museums and Academic Institutions

by Vicki Cassman (Editor), Nancy Odegaard (Editor), Joseph Powell (Editor), Marta Alfonso (Contribution by), Bernardo Arriaza (Contribution by), Mary Brooks (Contribution by), Phillip Cash Cash (Contribution by), Natalie Drew (Contribution by), Julie Eklund (Contribution by), Monica Gustafsson (Contribution by), Brian Fagan (Contribution by), Sherry Hutt (Contribution by), Teresa Militello (Contribution by), Alan Morris (Contribution by), Ann Peters (Contribution by), Luz-Andrea Pfister (Contribution by), Christopher Pulliam (Contribution by), Jennifer Riddle (Contribution by), Heidi Roberts (Contribution by), Claire Rumsey (Contribution by), Alyce Sadongei (Contribution by), Lynn Teague (Contribution by), Michael Trimble (Contribution by)

Overview

This edited volume contains valuable information for museums and academic institutions concerning the care and conservation of human remains. The editors provide all the essential information required concerning the curation of human remains, from oft posed ethical questions to storage and transport issues. Jam-packed with references, this collection is up to date and is a must have resource. This volume should be required reading for institutions with osteology collections, as well as scholars and students. With a foreword by Brian Fagan.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759109551
Publisher:	AltaMira Press
Publication date:	08/14/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	330
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Vicki Cassman is Assistant Professor of Conservation at the University of Delaware. Nancy Odegaard is Professor of Anthropology at the University of Arizona as well as a conservator at the Arizona State Museum.Joseph Powell is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque and a physical anthropologist.

Table of Contents

2 Foreword Chapter 3 Introduction: Dealing with the Dead Chapter 4 Ethics of Flesh and Bone, or Ethics in the Practice of Paleopathology, Osteology, and Bioarchaeology 5 American Association of Museums Position Statement Chapter 6 Policy 7 Example Mission Statement for a University Collection 8 Websites of Interest with Sample Policies Chapter 9 Condition (Assessment) of Osteology Collections 10 Access and Documentation of Collections in Law Enforcement Agencies: A Case Study 11 Condition Glossary 12 Common Vocabulary for Addressing Body Position or Orientation Chapter 13 Examination and Analysis 14 Padding and Support Materials 15 Recommended Basic Tool Usage 16 Beanbags for Support and Cushioning 17 Temporary Markers for Indicating Bone Landmarks during Metric Analyses 18 General Considerations in Casting 19 Instrumental Analysis 20 Arizona State Museum Destructive Testing Policy Chapter 21 Treatment and Invasive Actions 22 Mexicans Clean Bones to Honor the Dead 23 The Impact of Preservation Treatments on DNA Chapter 24 Indigenous Value Orientations in the Care of Human Remains 25 The Vermillion Accord on Human Remains Chapter 26 Storage and Transport 27 The Osteology Box 28 Labeling Procedures from the Arizona State Museum 29 Materials Used for Storage Supports 30 Steps for an Insect Monitoring Program 31 Moving the Kennewick Man 32 Rehousing the Kennewick Remains 33 Packing Royalty Chapter 34 Associated Artifacts 35 Conservation Conversation I-III 36 Associated Funerary Objects: Religious Votives Chapter 37 Documentation: History and Sources of Skeletons in Collections 38 A Case Study: Colonialism and the Return of Sarah Baartman 39 Linnaeus and the Origins of Typology 40 Documentation Systems in Human Osteology Chapter 42 Associated Records: the Kennewick Project Chapter 43 Multidisciplinary Research Teams Chapter 44 Fieldwork 45 Tell Hesi Biblical Site 46 Rescuing Mummies from Urban Centers in the Atacama Desert 47 Cremations Chapter 48 Working with the Dead: Health Concerns 49 Respect for the Dead, Respect for the Living 50 Personal Protective Equipment Guidelines Chapter 51 The Law of Human Remains and Burials Chapter 52 Respect for the Dead, Respect for the Living 53 Guidelines for Treatment of Remains of Indian People in Archaeological Sites 54 Spirit Man Cave: A Body of Contention Chapter 55 Display: The Body in the Museum 56 Caring for an Egyptian Mummy and Coffin 57 Views on Displaying Human Remains

Editorial Reviews

This handsome and unique book can serve both as a reference guide and as a comprehensive manual for establishing policies related to the curation and conservation of human skeletal remains. With a title that is printed on the spine in a large and legible font and possessing a colorful yet durable pictorial cover, it is ready to be plucked off the bookshelf, quickly consulted and swiftly returned to its designated spot among other frequently used reference works. It is appropriate for students, professionals, and stakeholders who are concerned with the ethical care of human remains collections....This revolutionary book contains all the tools needed to begin the process of creating or revising policy so as to meet the goals set by the authors: improved preservation and management practices in concert with new attitudes that approach these remains with respectful concern for their humanity.

Museum Anthropology Review

This book is an excellent and comprehensive resource that incorporates both theory and practical guidelines to elucidate a very complex and sensitive subject. It is an important review of a continually evolving aspect of anthropological and museum science with a global focus. The answers, guidance, and cultural insights that it provides will be useful to professionals, students, and other stakeholders endeavoring to balance the issues and concerns involved with human remains.

Paul S. Storch

At the foundation of this terrific volume is respect for the deceased who are revered by descendent communities, excavated by archaeologists,analyzed by interdisciplinary teams of scientists, and preserved and curated by conservators and curators. All of these groups will benefit from the wealth of information in this book on the ethical handling, management, and care of human remains in the field, lab, repository, and beyond. The case studies and guidelines are especially potent and useful. A must for all who care about and work with human remains or ever think they might.

S. Terry Childs

This important collection of papers provides discussion of and recommendations for the recovery, treatment, documentation, curation, and study of human remains, largely from the perspective of conservation and the long-term commitment to care of skeletons. The conservation point of view has been expressed in various literatures over the years, but nowhere has it been done so in such an interesting and comprehensive fashion, all under the cover of a single book. The various and thoughtful perspectives represented in this book gives much material for discussion about the central importance of conservation of the remains of ancestors. Although the book is intended mainly for institutions and the collections that may be under their care, this book is a must read for a wider audience-anyone who deals with human remains derived from any context.

Clarke Spencer Larsen

This book would be a useful reference for anyone involved with the recovery, care or treatment of human remains. It combines both practical and philosophical considerations of a complex and contentious area of archaeology, conservation and museology.

February 2009 Journal Of Cac

The authoritative guide to the institutional curation of human remains will serve as the ultimate reference for decades. From ethics to insects, these internationally-recognized authors offer solutions to everyday concerns of museum and institutional curation of human remains.

Professor Arthur Aufderheide