Rehumanizing Anatomized Individuals: Using Osteobiographies as a Step Towards Reparative Justice

Authors

• Lillie C. Turpin, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

William R. Belcher

Committee Members

Kelly Kamnikar, LuAnn Wandsnider

Date of this Version

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Arts

Major: Anthropology

Under the supervision of Professor William R. Belcher

Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2026

Comments

Copyright 2026, Lillie C. Turpin. Used by permission

Abstract

In 1985, India banned the export of human remains. This ended the major trade route for primarily US and European anatomical supply companies. Until this point, companies like Carolina Biological Supply exploited and erased vulnerable people's identities, molding them into anonymous anatomical specimens. This study investigates the life and postmortem history of twenty-five individuals, previously used as anatomical specimens, housed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Using an osteobiographical approach, this research reconstructs aspects of these individuals' lived experiences and examines how anatomical preparation practices reflect structural violence and apathy.

Skeletal analysis of twenty-five individuals revealed a range of biological profiles, with many individuals estimated to be adult males of short stature. Evidence of both biological stress and extensive postmortem modification was documented across most of these individuals. Pathological lesions like linear enamel hypoplasia, periodontal disease, and dental caries indicate periods of malnutrition during childhood growth and development. Degenerative changes, including osteophytes, laminal spurs, and osteoporosis, are symptoms of and show evidence of larger health issues like osteoarthritis. Postmortem alterations like foam adhesive that obscures joint surfaces, hardware embedded in long bones, ink staining across various bones, and synthetic materials replacing areas of bone loss complicate osteological age, osteological sex, and stature estimation across the collection, reflecting the methodical erasure of individual identity that occurs during the anatomization process.

Beyond the physical evidence, this research explores the utility of osteobiographies for individuals who experience structural apathy in death and the lack of care surrounding anatomical individuals. An absence of documentation like death certificates, purchase receipts, and information from original acquisitions reflects systemic neglect and disregard for individuals whose bodies were commodified for educational use. By establishing these individuals within broader discussions of acquisition, provenance, and bioethics, this study examines the relevance of osteobiographies as a tool for acknowledging and confronting structural violence in both life and death.

Advisor: William R. Belcher