The following research examined the overall biological profile of an anatomized human skeletal assemblage discovered in Winchester, Massachusetts (Middlesex County) in 2020. This assemblage was discovered during construction of a private house in a suburban neighborhood. In addition, this project examined the history of medical teaching specimens and how this new collection connected to the anthropological understanding of this history. For centuries, marginalized individuals, including Black people, poor people, and criminals, were utilized as the cadaver supply for medical schools. The author examined the general biological profile, including sex, age, population affinity, and stature, of the Winchester assemblage. Since none of the fragmented postcranial bones were able to be matched to particular individuals, these estimations served as a profile for the general population of the Winchester assemblage. The skulls were the only parts of the sample that could be treated as specific individuals. Craniofacial nonmetric traits were observed as well as postcranial aspects of the skeleton. The total number (NISP) of adult remains was 14,469. The MNI of the adult remains was 35 based on the left femora. The author hypothesized that the majority of the remains would consist of male individuals, and the age profile would reflect the average age at death during the mid-1800s, which was about 20-40 years old. In addition, it was hypothesized that the majority of individuals would be of Black population affinity, which might indicate that the remains were robbed from Black cemeteries. The majority of the assemblage was indeed comprised of males. Specifically, 60.5% of the pubic symphyses and 58.8% of the greater sciatic notches analyzed were determined to be male. The general average age at death of the sample was 23 to 45 years old. Estimation of population affinity of the sample was attempted; however, the results were not compelling due to the fragmentation of the remains and limited ability to reconstruct crania. The stature of the remains was estimated to range from 58.1 to 69.9 inches or 4 feet 10 inches to 5 feet 10 inches. This biological profile was compared to the demographics of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and the United States presented by the 1850 U.S. Census and data from the military during that time. The Winchester adult remains had more males than females, similar to the sex representation in Massachusetts’ poorhouses, penitentiaries, jails, and houses of correction during 1850. Unlike these institutions, the general population of Middlesex County had more females than males. The 1850 Census indicates that the majority of individuals in Massachusetts’ poorhouses, penitentiaries, jails, and houses of correction were 24 years and older, which aligns with the estimated aged range for the Winchester adult remains. White and Black individuals were the only population affinities compared in the 1850 Census, and there were significantly more White individuals. The average height of a White male in the US military was 63.7 inches, which aligned with the general stature interval of 58.1 to 69.9 inches for the adult Winchester remains. Future research, including DNA and isotope analyses, could provide further insights into the origins of these individuals discovered at this site.

The aim of the dissertation is to study the problem definitions and the governmental rationality of new activities aimed at reforming criminals, the poor and workers in Sweden during the mid-1800s. Three case studies analyse the solitary confinement penitentiary, the district visiting poor relief and the bildung-society for workers. A fourth case study analyses the introduction of crime statistics and prison photography. I argue that these different activities were part of the historical process that have been characterised as ”the birth of the social” and the new governmental rationality, ”liberal governmentality”. The initiators presupposed that civilisation had negative behavioural consequences among the lower classes. At the same time they expressed optimism regarding new fostering instances and how such could be integrated to a mutually supporting network. The aims of the new reformatory principles were regularly described as capacities for self-reflection, self-regulation and self-control among the lower classes. The dissertation shows that the new activities localised and defined a new set of problems and questions in terms of the social. ”Society” was what was to be protected as its ”inner” relationships were described as going through comprehensive historical changes. The ambition to lead, manage and organise the behaviours and values of the lower classes was even more far-reaching than was the desire to exert direct discipline. Order, well being and morals were integrated in a field of problems where effects on the lifestyles of the lower classes constituted the ultimate authoritative body.