A consolidated summary of South African human skeletal repositories

Athi Baliso · Sadiyah Malek · Victoria Elaine Gibbon

8 citations0/0 files storedAnnals of Anatomy - Anatomischer Anzeiger

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Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning Race, Genetics, and Society

Abstract

AIM: Human skeletal repositories are crucial resources for research and education in human biology, variation, anatomy, biocultural frameworks, forensic/medico-legal casework, heritage and understanding the past. In this review paper, we assess the composition of human skeletal repositories in South Africa, along with the ethical and legal frameworks that safeguard their curation. METHODS: The data and information pertaining to local human skeletal repositories were gathered through a combination of literature review and direct contact with local curators for information. Data pertaining to source origins, sample demographics, and temporal distribution (where applicable) were extracted and reporting trends across publications were assessed. RESULTS: South Africa has 12 main human skeletal repositories, six affiliated with universities and six with museums. There are over 12 300 human skeletal remains housed across these repositories, mainly of cadaveric, archaeological, forensic (medico-legal), and unknown origin. Universities are primarily stewards of large cadaveric collections (n = ± 6 200); however, a few manage archaeological (n = ± 1 300) and forensic repositories (n = ± 1 000). Museums exclusively curate repositories of archaeological origin and approximately ± 3 700 archaeological individuals can be found countrywide. CONCLUSIONS: The ethical challenges faced by South African repositories are deeply connected to the country's colonial and apartheid history. Concerns related to consent, autonomy, cultural sensitivity, data availability and the respectful treatment of the deceased, require constant attention and consideration. We highlight several initiatives undertaken to address these issues, including the implementation of new management approaches by repositories, a shift away from using unclaimed bodies, efforts in deaccessioning and repatriation and an increased focus on community engagement.

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References

1998Miscast: negotiating the presence of the Bushmen 1996Scientific Racism in Modern South Africa 2009Forensic Anthropology: Contemporary Theory and Practice 2009The history and composition of the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Human Skeletons at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 2005The Pretoria Bone Collection: A modern South African skeletal sample 2008Discriminant function sexing of the mandible of Indigenous South Africans 2009Estimation and evidence in forensic anthropology: Sex and race 2007Craniofacial variation and population continuity during the South African Holocene

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