Identified Skeletal Collections: The Testing Ground of Anthropology By C. Y.Henderson and F. A.Cardoso. (190 pp. ISBN 978‐1‐78491‐805‐7; RRP £30.) Oxford: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd. 2018.

Identified Skeletal Collections: The Testing Grounds of Forensic Anthropology? is an edited volume collecting eight chapters (excluding introductory and conclusory components) that discuss the historic and contemporary role of human skeletal collections in Forensic Anthropology, specifically those that contain individuals identified through documentary evidence. The purpose of the book, as it establishes at the outset, is to discuss first the role these collections have played in the development of anthropological theories and methods, and second to examine the ethical concerns and limitations surrounding the use of such skeletal collections. The authors also make it clear that they have limited themselves to discussing the collections held in the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa and Portugal, thus fully establishing their context. As a contemporary examination of the current state of physical and forensic anthropology, this book provides an insightful and well-curated exploration of some of the key issues facing the field today. The central chapters (3–5) examine the general and specific construction of documented historical collections and discuss the inherent biases these present: particularly regarding the contentious issue of race/ancestry/ethnicity in anthropology. Shared, consistent authorship of these chapters grants the benefit of clear cohesion. The first of these chapters presents a specific historical case study (the J.C.B. Grant Collection, University of Toronto) to highlight both the strengths and the limitations of a validated, well-documented skeletal collection. This is followed by two more general chapters addressing biases and strategies to structure research questions to avoid these biases. These chapters alone justify the purchase of this book, and I hope to see them listed as required reading for researchers, educators and students alike, and would expect to see them adopted as seminar material across a spectrum of physical/forensic anthropology degree programs. The later chapters (6–8) document the use of skeletal collections to address more specific research questions, looking at the difficulties surrounding our understanding of the ageing process, data describing secular changes in craniometric dimensions, and the impact of documentary evidence – particularly on occupation – on the research process. These chapters are all framed in a Portuguese context, utilising the wealth of documented skeletal collections present in the country, and give spirited discussions of the data, inferences that can be drawn and, again, highlighting some of the potential pitfalls in utilising this work. The final contributed chapter completes our exploration of skeletal collections by framing the collection, curation and use of these collections within the context of structural violence, examining our continuing relationship with the people represented in, and by, skeletal collections. With a clear focus, we are led through the implications of these collections, using the Cobb Collection (Howard University, Washington, D.C.) as an exemplar. Deep-seated ethical concerns about how historical skeletal collections have – and are often still – viewed are discussed at length, ending with poignant suggestions for approaches to minimise the potential for future harm and discrimination when using these collections: whether intentional or unconscious. As with any collected volume, not all chapters will appeal to all readers, or suit their needs accordingly: the format and topics are diverse between authors. A particular personal point of weakness was Chapter 2 (‘Archaeological human skeletal collections: their significance and value as an ongoing contribution to research’): it felt out-of-place in the context of the remaining book. The content of this chapter was primarily descriptive, centred around the Museum of London skeletal collections and their widespread use in research. It did not, for me, contain a significant discursive element and therefore did not further lend itself to the overarching discussion generated through this book. It was also, unfortunately, the chapter that requires the most editorial attention: misspellings, grammatical errors and idiosyncrasies were unfortunately not uncommon, which is again at odds with the rest of the text. This one deviation aside, this edited volume is an excellent addition to the literature. It provides a thought-provoking journey through the history and contemporary life of identified skeletal collections, highlighting key questions we must address in order to advance our field of study. As a single text, I have not come across anything that fills a similar niche, making it a useful addition as well as an interesting one. For those interested in the material quality: the soft-cover printing and binding itself is excellent, with a sophisticated look and feel. An electronic version is also available at a reduced price (RRP £15), although I have not viewed this so cannot comment on its quality. To use the ‘bottom line’ questions suggested by Davies (2006): did I enjoy reading this book? Yes! Did I learn anything? Also an emphatic affirmative.

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