‘Over Their Dead Bodies’: Human remains in scientific collections

As part of the CAT programme, the team is spending time at the centre examining the philosophical and ethical dimensions of this sensitive topic. Their diverse backgrounds—spanning history, biological anthropology, and philosophy—bring important interdisciplinary perspectives to these complex issues.

Cultural perspectives on human remains

At the heart of their research lies a fundamental question about the nature of human remains, and how people see them differently. "Are they objects, scientific evidence, materials?" Jonatan asks, "Or are they also subjects or individuals or spirits?"

This tension manifests across different scientific and cultural traditions. Jonatan points to Polynesian concepts as an example: "In Polynesian cultures, there's the concept of mana," he explains. "Mana is a kind of energy that is often attached to either certain persons, but also certain things."

Such cultural perspectives have implications for how remains should be treated. "Human remains such as bones are often believed to possess a certain manner, certain power or metaphysical energy," notes Jonatan, "and to treat them as objects would be disrespectful from this point of view."

The strength of the project lies in its diverse team, which includes a historian, a biological anthropologist, two philosophers, and a social scientist. Each team member brings unique expertise to what are inherently complex questions that cross disciplinary borders.

During their CAS residency, the team is drafting book chapters examining both historical collection and scientific practices and contemporary ethical frameworks, with focus on evolving ethical concerns.

Little windows into new perspectives  

The research stay in Oslo has provided interesting new perspectives. While many European nations predominantly confront questions about human remains from former colonies, Norway presents a distinctive case study.

"In Norway, the issue is slightly different than in many other European countries," Jonatan observes, "because the human remains don't necessarily relate only to the colonial 'other' in different countries, but also to the Sami people."

This dimension adds complexity to the ethical conversation, involving indigenous claims within national borders rather than solely international repatriation questions. The team had a meeting with Skjelettutvalget earlier this week to learn more about their work and the process of creating guidelines specific to the Norwegian context.

The CAT programme's structure—enabling intensive collaboration across multiple locations—has proven very important for the groups work, providing "little windows" into different perspectives.

"Here in Oslo, the view of the topic is slightly different than it was in Freiburg," he notes. "And it will be different again in other places we visit." The next stop for the research group will be in Berlin later this year.

Jonatan emphasizes that in-person collaboration remains irreplaceable: "I think this is the most important, for us to meet in person, and we have these intensive moments where we can just discuss and write." This format has yielded tangible results, with the team nearly completing two book chapters during their CAS residency.

Beyond addressing historical injustices, their research connects to many other contemporary issues, including Eastern European racialisation and far-right nationalist ideologies. Their ongoing work aims to contribute to frameworks that balance scientific inquiry with respect for the deceased and cultural sensitivity.

Are you interested to learn more about the topic and research? You can read a recent blog post from the research group here >

Read more about the CAT programme here >