Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  Finding Bones In Renovations

    Posted 06-30-2015 12:02 PM

    Hello! 

    During some recent renovations to one of our buildings c.1850 we found bones in one of the bricks from the chimney.  It is extremely doubtful they are Native American so I don't think NAGPRA applies, does anyone know how to properly approach this situation? Any help would be appreciated. 


    ------------------------------
    Stephanie Koller
    Registrar
    ------------------------------

    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 2.  RE: Finding Bones In Renovations

    Posted 06-30-2015 12:11 PM

    Hello Stephanie,

    You found bones embedded in the brick? How interesting! In a case like that the bone was most likely added during the brick manufacturing process. Depending on the time period the bricks may have been made locally or imported. I'd check the brick for a makers mark as some from the mid nineteenth century and on were stamped. 

    We recently had a similar situation where we found bones beneath a floorboard. A local university was nice enough to take a look at some high resolution photographs and conclude that it was an animal, specifically beef, bone. 


    ------------------------------
    Matthew MacVittie 
    Collections & Exhibits Manager
    Seward House Museum
    Auburn NY
    ------------------------------


    Original Message
    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 3.  RE: Finding Bones In Renovations

    Posted 06-30-2015 12:46 PM

    Hi Matthew,

    Thanks for replying! I will make sure we have some good digital photos and see if anyone is willing to help with the identification process. 


    ------------------------------
    Stephanie Koller
    Registrar
    ------------------------------


    Original Message
    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 4.  RE: Finding Bones In Renovations

    Posted 06-30-2015 01:15 PM

    Stephanie,

    In some jurisdictions, the coroner must be notified of any human remains, regardless of context or estimated age. So you may want to be proactive and find out what the process just in case the bones are human.

    Mary Ann Gabriel
    Collections Management and Care Specialist

    ------------------------------


    Original Message
    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 5.  RE: Finding Bones In Renovations

    Posted 07-01-2015 11:27 AM

    Hi.

    Why do you think the bones are human?

    Best,

    Diane

    ------------------------------
    Diane Gutenkauf
    Director
    Robert R. McCormick Museum at Cantigny
    Wheaton IL
    ------------------------------


    Original Message
    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 6.  RE: Finding Bones In Renovations

    Posted 07-01-2015 12:19 PM

    Hi Diane,

    Our renters were in a panic and assumed they were human but after looking at them I think they are animal, but I'm not an expert.  I was just wondering if there was any protocol for the bones, I tried to find some PA state laws regarding this but I've haven't been able to find anything, and I didn't know if there were any museum standards we had to adhere to. 

    ------------------------------
    Stephanie Koller
    Registrar
    ------------------------------


    Original Message
    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 7.  RE: Finding Bones In Renovations

    Posted 07-01-2015 12:26 PM

    Hi, Stephanie -

    Interesting!  By "embedded" in the brick, do you mean that the bones were placed among/between the bricks during their installation, or do you mean that the bones are inclusions within an individual brick (which means they were placed into the mold when the brick was cast)?  If you can offer some good photos of the bones, I may be able to identify them (my background is paleontology/biology). 

         Michael

    ------------------------------
    Michael Holland
    Principal/Owner
    Michael Holland Productions
    Bozeman MT
    ------------------------------


    Original Message
    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more


  • 8.  RE: Finding Bones In Renovations

    Posted 07-02-2015 09:02 AM
    I suggest contacting the state archaeologist, which can typically be located through a state's DNR web site.

    Best wishes--

    Susan Neill

    Sent from my iPhone


    Original Message
    AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, Baltimore, May 16-19, 2024, click to learn more