Over the past decade the world has experienced widespread turmoil, from the climate crisis and localised and global disease outbreaks to armed conflicts, the rise of artificial intelligence and online misinformation, and persistent inequity among communities. At the same time, the field of bioarchaeology has been experiencing a period of awakening and reckoning. Most notably, this has been marked by growing critical engagement with its colonial legacies, re-evaluation of its methods, ethical obligations, improving accessibility and inclusion within the field, and responsibilities to communities and the planet that we inhabit. The publication of Bioarchaeology, activism and social justice: equitable and sustainable global futures is therefore timely as it explores how scholar activism can result in deeper, more meaningful changes in bioarchaeology and society more broadly. As the first edited volume on the subject, it highlights how scholarship and professional practice can be used to bring about political and social change.
While the topics covered in this collection of contributions are wide ranging, they are connected by a shared engagement with contemporary social issues that are all too often overlooked in bioarchaeological scholarship. The volume contains the works of 35 authors across 14 chapters, divided into three sections. Following the Introduction, the first section tackles social justice in academia with chapters focusing on justice and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within academia (Gowland & Daxini); racial equity, ethics and sustainability in anatomical sciences (Robbins Schug et al.); EDI and representation in forensic anthropology (De La Paz et al.); and the application of queer and disability theories to encourage greater inclusion and educational transformation within biological anthropology (Blatt et al.).
The second section centres on structural violence, marginalisation and systems of colonialism. Starting with a chapter that examines social-justice perspectives on institutionalisation and health in past populations (Zuckerman & Willis), the remainder of this section explores a broad range of subjects, including the harm caused to pregnant people and foetuses as a result of structural violence in the past and present (Halcrow et al.); the re-humanisation of archaeological bodies belonging to marginalised individuals (Sohler-Snoddy & Kendall); and a highly original exploration of the changing nature of human–animal relationships over time and their implications for meat consumption and environmental sustainability (Agarwal). The final section is dedicated to public bioarchaeology, the contributions of community members and collaborators and ethical considerations. This section starts with a well-written piece on the power of public engagement and the positive impact it can have on communities (Alexander). Damien Huffer and colleagues go on to tackle the growing challenge of human-remains trafficking, examining how scholars and practitioners can reshape media and social narratives about this trade and how they can assist law enforcement investigations. The theme of communication continues in the next chapter. Here, Pamela Geller addresses the importance of accurately conveying details about bioarchaeological findings to non-specialists when they challenge heteronormative assumptions, emphasising that failure to do so can fuel sensationalised online narratives that misrepresent the past and lead to widespread misinformation. The section concludes with a case study from Pompeii. Dario Piombino-Mascali and Sara Sablone advocate the adoption of ‘ethical laboratories’ when developing exhibitions featuring human remains and consider how human body casts can be displayed to the public while preserving the dignity of the dead. Drawing on the themes raised throughout these chapters, the editors conclude the volume by proposing realistic strategies to drive positive political and social changes, not only within academic disciplines but more broadly at institutional, local, national and international levels.
Many chapters include author positionality statements that contextualise their research. By including first-hand experiences, the reader is able to understand how social and political issues impact scholars and the wider community. Samantha Blatt et al. exemplify this approach by including positionality and testimonial statements from each author in their chapter. The themes touched upon in these accounts are carefully woven into the main body of the text, which supports key discussion points and recommendations for improving practice in biological anthropology. Likewise, throughout this volume, contributors offer suggestions for how scholars and practitioners can make positive changes within their disciplines, prompting readers to reflect on their own professional conduct and engagement with human remains, political and social issues and local communities.
The chapters drawing on activist initiatives were particularly illuminating as they demonstrate how active engagement can improve inclusion and participation within bioarchaeology and related fields (e.g. Alexander; De La Paz et al.). On initially reading the title of this book, I expected there to be more instances of successful activist activities and/or projects but there were surprisingly few. Several chapters (including those by Piombino-Mascali & Sablone; Robbins Schug et al.) highlight efforts currently under development that involve consultation and input from local communities, descendants and other relevant partners. A second edition of this edited volume could present the findings and successes of these collaborative ventures.
While the editors frame the book as a starting point for future discussions, they also acknowledge gaps within the collection, particularly in relation to Indigenous voices, knowledge and contributions in bioarchaeology. Alongside this omission, I felt that some chapters would have benefitted from greater diversity of perspective, both in author numbers (particularly chapters with one or two authors) and geographic reach, given that contributors were drawn from a limited range of countries (Australia, Canada, Italy, Lithuania, New Zealand, UK & USA). Granted, it is not realistic to expect the inclusion of scholars from every country, but there are no voices from institutions or projects based in Africa, Asia, or Central or South America. This consequently limits insight into activist approaches, practices and initiatives taking place elsewhere in the world, particularly in the Global South (e.g. Maass Reference Maass2022).
In the Introduction, the editors refer to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting bioarchaeology’s potential contributions to a more sustainable future (p.9). Despite their relevance to the rest of the volume, these SDGs appear only in Siân Halcrow et al.’s chapter on care, personhood and pregnant person–infant health. Explicit reference to the relevant SDGs in each chapter would have demonstrated active engagement with these internationally recognised goals and illustrated how bioarchaeology can contribute to addressing contemporary challenges, for example in relation to climate change and human health (Agarwal; Zuckerman & Willis); social justice (Halcrow et al.; Huffer et al.); and reduced inequalities (Blatt et al.; De La Paz et al.; Robbins Schug et al.).
Halcrow and colleagues (p.130) highlight that bioarchaeologists and those in related disciplines should be attentive to shifts in inclusive language. This point is particularly pertinent when exploring topics around community engagement and activism. Yet, in this book some of the terminology stands out. One example is the use of ‘stakeholder’, which appears in several chapters and the title of the book’s third section. In recent years there has been a growing shift away from this term due to colonial connotations, with much discourse over alternatives (e.g. Akl et al. Reference Akl2024; Reed et al. Reference Reed2024). As suggested in this volume, greater awareness of changes in inclusive language and practice can be achieved through engagement with scholar activism and open dialogue with colleagues and the wider community.
Overall, this book brings together valuable scholarship on some of the most pressing political and social issues facing bioarchaeologists in the twenty-first century. As such, this collection of chapters acts as an excellent point of reference for those working in bioarchaeology, biological anthropology, forensic anthropology and related disciplines that may be new to scholar activism. While the volume does have some limitations, it is the first of its kind and will undoubtedly generate greater personal and professional reflection among its readership, and will encourage discourse and debate among students, academics and practitioners alike. It is only by challenging traditional thinking and practices that we can create a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable future.
