Alexei Volkov
The human bone trade has a long and often macabre history, with infamous murderers Burke and Hare exposed for killing people and selling their bodies for anatomy lessons. The trade has evolved, with India being the primary source of human bones for medical schools worldwide, but an embargo on the export of human remains in recent years has led to a dramatic increase in the sale of plastic skeletons and human parts. The price of human bones varies, with a few skeletons from India selling for around $500, while damaged human skulls can be as cheap as $25. Comparatively, plastic skeletons can retail for as little as $70 for miniature models, with more detailed and life-like models costing thousands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Human bones used for | Medical osteology, archaeological/ossuary osteology, tribal osteology |
| Human bone sources | India, China, Russia |
| Human bone price range | $100 - $500 |
| Human skull price range | $25 - $125 |
| Plastic bone price range | $70 - $3,445 |
| Plastic bone use cases | Medical schools, doctors, schools, research |
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What You'll Learn
- Human bones are sold for medical, archaeological/ossuary, and tribal purposes
- The human bone trade is mostly dead due to dwindling supply
- Plastic skeletons are cheaper than human bones
- Paper mache and plastic skeletons were once considered very fake
- Plastic implants are being developed to regrow damaged bones
Human bones are sold for medical, archaeological/ossuary, and tribal purposes
Medical osteology refers to bones that are specifically prepared for the education of medical students. In the 18th and 19th centuries, there was a working-class group of people called "Resurrectionists" who would take recently deceased bodies and sell them to medical institutions for dissection. This practice was eventually stopped after murderers Burke and Hare were exposed for killing people and selling their bodies for anatomy lessons. As a result, businesses were created to supply human remains for medical study. However, with the legalization of the bone market, most medical osteology was sourced from India, China, and Russia. Bones from these countries were preferred due to their craftsmanship.
Archaeological/ossuary osteology refers to bones that were part of a burial ritual. These bones may demonstrate evidence of having been buried, such as dirt or oxidation stains, and may be found in catacombs or during excavations. While these rituals differ across cultures, the bones that come from these sites are not considered spiritual. Bones removed from these sites and sold are relatively common, but not all companies engage in this practice.
Tribal osteology refers to bones with spiritual or religious uses. These bones are typically acquired for spiritual practices and are often ornately decorated or carved. Examples of tribal osteology include Dayak, Asmat, and Kampala skulls.
The price of human bones varies depending on their origin and condition. Human skeletons from India can sell for about $500, while skulls in near-perfect condition can sell for $125. Inexpensive human skeletons with missing or damaged bones can be purchased for as little as $100, and damaged skulls can cost as little as $25.
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The human bone trade is mostly dead due to dwindling supply
The human bone trade, which has existed for centuries, is now mostly dead due to a dwindling supply. Human bones have been used for various purposes, including spiritual practices, medical studies, and anatomical research. However, the supply of human bones has significantly decreased, leading to a decline in the bone trade.
Historically, the bone trade involved the collection and sale of human bones, often obtained from graves or unclaimed bodies, and sold to medical institutions for dissection and educational purposes. In the 18th and 19th centuries, a group known as "Resurrectionists" emerged, who would take recently deceased bodies and sell them for anatomical lessons. This practice sparked public outrage when infamous murderers Burke and Hare were exposed for killing people and selling their bodies. As a result, legislation was enacted to regulate the procurement of bodies for dissection, particularly in the United Kingdom with the Anatomy Act of 1832.
India, in particular, became the world's primary source of bones for medical study, known for producing high-quality specimens. However, in 1985, the Indian government outlawed the export of human remains, causing a collapse in the global supply of skeletons. This led to a search for alternative sources, such as China and Eastern Europe, but they could not match the quality and quantity of Indian specimens.
The decline in the human bone trade can be attributed to several factors, including the legalization of the bone market, which led to increased regulation and ethical concerns. Additionally, the introduction of plastic models provided a feasible alternative, although the development of suitable plastics to accurately depict bones is still ongoing.
As the supply of human bones dwindled, most companies in the medical osteology field transitioned to providing medical models or animal osteology. The remaining bone supply became a resale market, with companies buying decommissioned and unwanted bones to put them back into educational use. However, the challenges of disposing of human remains, such as the cost and legal issues associated with cremation and burial, persist.
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Plastic skeletons are cheaper than human bones
The use of human bones for medical study and teaching anatomy has a long history. In the 18th and 19th centuries, a group of people called "Resurrectionists" emerged, who would sell recently deceased bodies to medical institutions for dissection. However, this practice was met with public outrage due to infamous murderers Burke and Hare, who were exposed for killing people and selling their bodies for anatomy lessons. As a result, legislation was enacted, leading to the creation of businesses supplying human remains for medical studies.
With the depletion of natural human skeleton stocks and embargoes on the export of human remains from countries like India, the sale of plastic skeletons and human parts has surged. Plastic skeletons offer a more affordable alternative to human bones, with prices ranging from as little as $70 for 18-inch miniature models to $3,445 for a Skele-Torso with various anatomical features.
The demand for human bones in medical schools and by doctors has driven the trade in human remains. Companies like Medical Plastics Laboratory in Texas have been producing plastic skeletons and body parts for years, catering to a range of buyers, including rock groups and amusement parks.
While human bones are still sought after, the challenges of identifying their origins and the dwindling supply have made plastic alternatives more attractive. Organizations and individuals can purchase plastic skeletons without the ethical concerns associated with human bones. The development of life-like fake skeletons also reduces the need for dissecting human beings, addressing public outcry over the use of real human remains.
In conclusion, plastic skeletons offer a cost-effective and ethical solution for those seeking skeletons for educational, entertainment, or other purposes. The advancement of plastic materials that can mimic bone structure and facilitate bone regrowth further enhances the appeal of plastic skeletons over human bones.
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Paper mache and plastic skeletons were once considered very fake
The use of human skeletons for educational and entertainment purposes has a long history. For centuries, medical schools and researchers relied on human skeletons for teaching and studying anatomy. However, the supply of human bones was limited, and the practice of obtaining them was often unethical and controversial. As a result, people turned to alternative materials like paper mache and plastic to create fake skeletons.
Paper mache skeletons, often modelled after real skeletons in museums and doctors' offices, were a common alternative to real human skeletons in the late 1800s. These replicas were sometimes made by bone experts themselves and sold for half the price of genuine skeletons. While these paper mache skulls were not suitable for medical teaching, they found a niche among secret fraternities like The Oddfellows and the Freemasons, who used them as reminders of mortality for new recruits.
The early paper mache and plastic skeletons were far from perfect and often looked very fake. When Disneyland was built in the 1950s, and the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction was added in 1967, the artificial skeletons they initially used were so unrealistic that Walt Disney decided to replace them with real human skeletons purchased from the UCLA medical department. The fake skeletons were believed to be unable to stand the test of time and did not meet Disney's standards for realism.
Today, advancements in technology have improved the quality of fake skeletons. It is now possible to create life-like replicas of human skeletons without relying on real human bones. The demand for plastic skeletons and body parts has increased, with companies like Medical Plastics Laboratory in Texas providing life-sized plastic human skeletons and anatomical reproductions for educational and entertainment purposes. While the debate over the ethics of using human remains continues, the development of realistic fake skeletons offers a viable alternative for those seeking a more affordable, ethical, or sustainable option.
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Plastic implants are being developed to regrow damaged bones
The use of plastic skeletons and human bones for medical purposes has been a long-standing practice. However, with the depletion of natural human skeleton sources, the focus has shifted towards plastic alternatives. This evolution has led to the development of plastic implants aimed at regrowing damaged bones.
Over the years, several research institutes have explored the potential of implants with a scaffolding-like structure to facilitate bone regrowth at severe injury sites. Notable contributions have been made by MIT and Tufts University, who have been working on collagen-based materials.
The University of Southampton in England has made a significant breakthrough in this field by developing a new type of bone-growing substance made from plastic. This material, consisting of a blend of three non-toxic plastics, is designed to be inserted into broken bones. Its honeycomb-shaped internal matrix allows blood to flow through, encouraging stem cells from the adjacent bone marrow to attach to the material and promote bone regrowth. The University of Edinburgh in Scotland partnered with Southampton on this seven-year study, and the research was published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
The success of this plastic blend in human trials could revolutionize bone replacement procedures. It may even pave the way for customized 3D-printed bone scaffolds, as demonstrated by Washington State University. This innovation holds promise for patients with bone injuries or deformities, including children with skull deformations and veterans with damaged limbs.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the quality and source of the bones. In the late 1800s, paper mache skeletons were sold for $75 to $150, while a "first-class" skeleton could cost twice as much. Today, human skeletons from India can sell for about $500, while those with missing or damaged bones can be purchased for as little as $100. Human skulls from India in near-perfect condition sell for $125, while damaged skulls can be as cheap as $25. On the other hand, plastic skeletons can range in price from $70 for 18-inch miniature models to $3,445 for a Skele-Torso with various anatomical features.
Human bones have been traditionally used for medical education and research. Before the development of suitable plastics, plastic models were not a feasible alternative for studying anatomy. Even today, some organizations and individuals may prefer to use human bones for their authenticity and historical accuracy, especially in medical or educational contexts.
The legality of buying and selling human bones varies across regions. While it is illegal to export human bones from countries like India and the United States, it is not illegal to import them into the United States. However, it is illegal to pay for human bodies in the United States, indicating that the bone trade operates in a legal grey area.
