Margit Berner, Face and Death Masks in the Anthropological Collection of the Natural History Museum, Vienna

In 1998, extensive collections from the Nazi period were discovered as part of a systematic inspection in the Anthropology Department of the Natural History Museum in Vienna. They contain written sources but also measurement forms, photographs, plaster masks, hair samples as well as hand- and footprints from anthropological investigations. Moreover, these collections were taken from individuals who had not consented to such examinations, and they pose difficult ethical questions for curators about how to handle and present these in exhibitions today. This presentation will focus on the historical research, biographical studies and exhibition projects related to this collection. Some images, sounds or other media used in the following presentation are subject to copyright restrictions that prevent them being shown. In order to provide a complete record of the conference, these items have been blurred or silenced. Should we obtain permission to use these images, sounds and other media in the future the films will be updated.