Immune to death

This paper is based on data from fieldwork conducted in the EURAC - Institute for Mummies and the Iceman (Bozen, Italy). I observed the way in which the researchers related themselves to the object of their study: ancient human remains and through the analysis of the researchers' relationship to such remains, I argue that, contrary to what is generally stated in archaeological literature, human remains were not considered emotionally charged materials to which respect was owed in virtue of their former humanity. In particular, I will show how, in the context of the research facility in which I conducted my observations, human remains were removed from any association with the concept of death as such, for ancient skeletons and mummies were not understood to be conventional 'dead'. My work ultimately constitutes an attempt to challenge the human/non-human dichotomy by arguing that the entity, which is brought into being through bioanthropological analysis, eludes canonical categorisations

Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History of Medicine Studies · Paleopathology and ancient diseases

• The Body as Material Culture

  Open Access•Joanna Sofaer, Joanna R Sofaer•Body As Material Culture•2006

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• The Dead and their Possessions

  Cressida Fforde, Jane Hubert et al.•Dead and Their Possessions•2003

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• Identification Papers

  Diana Fuss•Identification Papers•2013

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• The archaeological uncanny

  G Moshenska•Public Archaeology•2006

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• Iceman

  Open Access•Janet E Levy•American Anthropologist•2001

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• Frozen in Time

  Ann Savours, Owen Beattie et al.•Geographical Journal•1988

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• The Birth of the Clinic

  Michel Foucault•Birth of the Clinic•2012

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• Of Clues and Signs

  Open Access•Zoë Crossland, Zoe ̈ Crossland et al.•American Anthropologist•2009

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