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Video courtesy of: Smithsonian Magazine
Written in Bone examines history through 17th-century bone biographies, including those of colonists teetering on the edge of survival at Jamestown, Virginia, and those living in the wealthy and well-established settlement of St. Mary’s City, Maryland.
The forensic investigation of human skeletons provides intriguing information on people and events of America's past. No other inanimate objects make us feel the same passionate curiosity as the remains of once-living, breathing individuals like us. And nothing else can answer our questions in quite the same ways.
At no other time in our history have we had the technological
capability
or opportunity now available to help us tell this tale.
Explore the history and science behind the investigation as we learn
for the first time the intimate stories of America's early colonists.
Highlights:
Forensic Anthropology Lab
In the Lab, visitors will learn that forensic science is far more mysterious and engaging than forensic fiction. They will use real human bones to identify and describe people from the past and draw conclusions about their lives.
The Secret in the Cellar
is a Webcomic based on an authentic forensic case. Using graphics, photos, and online activities, the Secret in the Cellar unravels a mystery of historical, and scientific importance.
Written in Bone explores forensic anthropology through a series of cases. Access all the forensic case files from a single page.
Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland
by Sally Walker is the companion volume to the exhibit.
Written in Bone:
Bone Biographer's Casebook features over 150 never before released photos from the forensic files of the National Museum of Natural History.
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