Written in Bone is a conceptual project focussed on the representation of landscapes that have been significantly altered by mankind through the practices involved in the reaping of resources. The communication goal of this project was that landscapes require the same degree of moral care and concern as sentient beings for whom justice seems reserved.

 

In order for this focus to find expression, a form of pseudo-forensic anthropology, a specialized field combining osteology, anthropology and archaeology in the interest of identifying the human remains that are no longer recognizable, was applied to these altered landscapes in an attempt to explore the seemingly contradictory yet symbiotic relationship between identity, as sameness and change over time and composition, as a form of fragility and initiate a change in attitudes towards land management as environmental protection. 

 

For the purpose of this project, Salvamento Quarry was identified as victim. Salvamento Quarry is an abandoned granite quarry that was closed down to a combination of low-quality granite and improper mining practices.

Osteal Surface consists of a series of four A1 graphite rubbings and nine smaller ones.

 

Evidence of trauma can occasionally be evidenced by the texture of the surface of bones. While a forensic anthropologist uses physical contact to analyse this, visually, I interpreted this process by using a technique that the layman might use to record texture - rubbings.