Fragmenten van de ellepijp, het spaakbeen en botten uit de menselijke arm en hand before 1869

This print of human remains, a radius, ulna, and assorted hand bones, was made by an anonymous artist at an unknown date. It's entitled 'Fragments of Radius and Cubitus Humans and Os des Mains' Consider how archaeological finds like these presented in books such as this one feed into a broader cultural narrative around the history of humankind. This image comes from a publication called 'La Seine aux Ages Ante Historiques,' indicating its French origins and focus on the Seine River. The term "Ante Historiques" suggests a period before recorded history, aligning with the rise of archaeology and paleontology in the 19th century. The stark presentation and scientific categorization of the bones reflects a growing interest in understanding human origins through empirical evidence. This approach also speaks to the institutional structures through which knowledge was being produced and disseminated. It emphasizes the role of scientific inquiry in shaping our understanding of the past, something that is still highly relevant today. To fully understand the context of this work, one might turn to archives of scientific institutions, museum collections, and publications on the history of archaeology. Art like this is contingent on social and institutional contexts.