Written in Bone

Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland
by Sally M. Walker

Just as forensic scientists use their knowledge of human remains to help solve crimes, they use smiliar skills to solve the mysteries of the long-ago past. Join Sally M. Walker as she works alongside the scientists investigating colonial-era graves near Jamestown, Virginia, as well as other sites in Maryland. As you follow their investigations, she'll introduce you to what scientists believe are the lives of a teenage boy, a ship's captain, an indentured servant, a colonia official and his family, and an enslaved African girl. All are reaching beyond the grave to tell us their stories, which are Written in Bone. For ages 10-14.  Hardcover, 144 pages.

Museum Provenance

The book coincides with the Smithsonian exhibit, Written Bone: Forensic Files of the 17th-Century Chesapeake. The exhibit has over 150 archival photographs newly released from the forensic files of the Department of Physical Anthropology at the National Museum of Natural History.

Every Smithsonian purchase will arrive with a museum provenance card explaining how it is adapted from or inspired by an object or objects in our collection.