The Empire of Death: A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses by Paul Koudounaris Shells like the dazzling glowworm caves

like the dazzling glowworm caves in New Zealand

and Hindu societies

It features additional photographs and illustrations

The bronze figure was designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens

articulated skeleton mounted to a wooden base and protected under a removeable plexiglass case

The Empire of Death: A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses by Paul Koudounaris Shells like the dazzling glowworm cavesFrom bone fetishism in the ancient world to painted skulls in Austria and Bavaria: an unusual and compelling work of cultural history. It is sometimes said that death is the last taboo, but it was not always so. For centuries, religious establishments constructed decorated ossuaries and charnel houses that stand as masterpieces of art created from human bone. These unique structures have been pushed into the footnotes of history; they were part of a