Online publication
Spennemann: Skulls as curios, crania as science, 2006.
Permanent URL
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Basic information
Bibliographical reference
Dirk Spennemann: Skulls as curios, crania as science. Some notes on the collection of skeletal material during the German colonial period, in: Micronesian Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Bd. 5, H.1/2, Albury 11.2006, S. 70‒78.
Language of publication
English
Description
Burial plays a major cultural role in most Micronesian societies. Burial in the soil tied the deceased ances-tors to the land they once owned and created and consolidated manifestations of land claims by the de-scendants. Apart from cultural practices, the burials were untouchable. During the nineteenth and early twentieth century European museums and anthropological societies were eager to acquire skeletal material from Micronesia to understand the peopling of the Pacific and the relationship of the various ‘races.’ To this end, German traders, officials and naval personnel obtained skeletal material both clandestinely and openly. In the latter case, acquiescence was assured through the power differential between the German officials and the local population. This paper compiles what is known of the German collection efforts in Micronesia. (Source: Webseite ResearchGate, last access 18.01.2024)
Network
Person/Corporate bodies
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