The Mainly Nameless and Faceless Dead: An Exploratory Study of the Illicit Traffic in Archaeological and Ethnographic Human Remains

Once an obscure trade, the Internet has enabled a network of tens of thousands of buyers and sellers in human remains. The human remains trade has occurred in many nations in the past, including Egypt, where tomb robbers have operated since the time of the Pharaoh’s themselves. More recently, however, the online trade has increased illegal excavations of grave sites in countries like Cambodia and Thailand, decimating archaeological sites and causing irreparable harm. Other recent examples of the trade include human remains of executed Chinese political prisoners ending up on exhibition. While laws vary at the local, national and international level, this trade pushes legal, moral and ethical boundaries.

Using keyword searches on common search engine, e-commerce and social media sites, this paper studies the current global trade in human remains. It notes details such as the origin, location, compliance with relevant laws, and rhetoric. Researchers found specimens for sale that included trophy skulls, medical skeletal remains, cups and bowls made from human calvaria, necklaces made of human teeth, and even portions of Egyptian mummies. Most dealers provided no more information on the legality of such items than the suggestion that buyers “check local laws.”