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Harvard University removes human skin binding from book

library.harvard.edu

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Re: Harvard University removes human skin binding from book

#4

Post by 542458 »

A4ET8a8uTh0 wrote: post #2

Fascinating stuff. While I can understand the decision and defend it, how is it really any different from making mummies 'properly' buried according to our current rituals?

I would hazard a guess that the remains of a mummy still present interesting research opportunities, whereas the skin here is just skin, and there’s no real value in keeping it around other than the sensational. IIRC last time I was at the Museum of History in Ottawa they had noted that many of the indigenous artifacts on display are replicas - for many artifacts where they felt everything that they could learn had been learned, they have returned the originals to the people they were taken from. I feel this is a similar story.

Re: Harvard University removes human skin binding from book

#5

Post by internetter »

A4ET8a8uTh0 wrote: post #2

Fascinating stuff. While I can understand the decision and defend it, how is it really any different from making mummies 'properly' buried according to our current rituals?

I mean, the fact students spent decades challenging each other to touch it (and the library did nothing to prevent it) might be a start

Re: Harvard University removes human skin binding from book

#6

Post by teaearlgraycold »

A4ET8a8uTh0 wrote: post #2

Fascinating stuff. While I can understand the decision and defend it, how is it really any different from making mummies 'properly' buried according to our current rituals?

Were mummies not usually aware of, and presumably consented, to mummification before death?

And then there’s the angle of sparing library staff from handling the human skin.

Re: Harvard University removes human skin binding from book

#7

Post by kome »

I wish I could witness the dressing room discussions of the French authorities when they have to deal with these holier-than-thou Harvard "ethicists", while pretending to take them seriously so as not to upset them.

edit: next step, harvard ppl studying the consent about random ossuaires in France https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-10-24/10-creepiest...

Re: Harvard University removes human skin binding from book

#9

Post by mjburgess »

I fear we've elevated 'consent' to absurd proportions. Every country in the world was built by those who didn't consent to build it (by serfdom, slavery, ..).

I hope this is preserved; what a pointless waste otherwise. How are we to imagine the deceased here? A person outraged at the insult, or one now doubly outraged at the waste?

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