Presenter: Dr. Carlina de la Cova 

Join us as we welcome renowned anthropologist Dr. Carlina de la Cova to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.  

Collections of human remains, such as the Hamann-Todd Human Osteological Collection curated at the Museum, can teach us about the social, biological, and health disparities faced by people in the past. The people in the Collection died in Cleveland primarily between 1910 and 1939 and were sent to Case Western Reserve University’s medical school for study (formerly the Western Reserve University). In the 1960s, their bones were moved to the Museum as a loan to ensure long-term care for the collection. While such collections have advanced research and played major roles in the fields of medicine and anthropology, they present ethical dilemmas. Laws at the time that allowed unclaimed individuals to be used for medical study resulted in the over representation of those who were poor, marginalized, and unable to consent. How can we bring justice to these individuals while restoring their silenced identities? In this Explorer Series lecture, Dr. Carlina de la Cova will explore the complicated history of these collections and how scholars and stewards can ethically engage with them in the present. This lecture will be free to the public. 

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Museum doors open at 5:30pm. Arrive early to explore the Visitor Hall or purchase a snack from a limited selection of cold and hot foods from Origins Café. Beer and wine will also be available.  

Seating begins at 6:15pm; the presentation will start promptly at 6:30pm.