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THE REAL INVASION
OF THE BODY SNATCHERS

Friday, October 27, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we delve into Britain's grim cadaver-robbing trade, learn about an Osage member survivor who became America's first prima ballerina ... and talk to experts about the future of breast cancer screening.

Grave robbers often worked together as a team to steal bodies to sell to medical schools, as shown in this 1888 engraving.

CHRIS HELLIER/AGE FOTOSTOCK

It’s not a Hollywood movie. Nineteenth-century Britain was invaded by body snatchers—gravediggers (as shown in the 1888 engraving above) who stole the dead for cash, and sometimes murdered for fresh bodies.

Medical schools needed the dead. The body snatchers took advantage—and sold hair and teeth on the side. In a Hollywood ending, the thieves themselves would have been struck dead. The finale was more complex. How did it stop?

HERE’S THE FULL STORY

Anatomy lessons required a cadaver, as shown here is an 18th-century oil painting of English surgeon William Cheselden.

STEVE VIDLER/AGE FOTOSTOCK

Supply and demand: The wages of graverobbing grew with the demand for bodies by medical schools. Anatomy lessons required a cadaver like that in this painting (above). Read more.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

Leonora, a post-reproductive female of the Ngogo community of chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Uganda.

PHOTOGRAPH BY KEVIN LANGERGRABER, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

New evidence shows female chimpanzees (like Leonora, above) also experience menopause

What's the future of breast cancer screening?

She escaped Oklahoma’s killing of rich Osage members—and became America’s first prima ballerina

What you need to know about your fitness level and risk of cancer

How Siamese cats change their colors

How old are you, really? The answer is written on your face.

What declassified Cold-War spy photos tell us about ancient Rome

Traveling to Europe is changing for millions of tourists. Here’s what to know.

This mysterious California mansion spawned a haunted house craze

Nature really is good medicine. Science can explain why.

WHAT IN THE WORLD?

A video of tents and people in a snowy area under very strong winds

VIDEO BY RENAN OZTURK

A force of nature: A team of scientists and explorers journeyed to an icy island volcano in the South Atlantic—and discovered a “lake of fire” roiling inside. What could go wrong?

Above, Nat Geo photographer Renan Ozturk attempts to work in high winds, some reaching gale force. Catch the Nat Geo documentary Explorer: Lake of Fire, streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu.

LAST GLIMPSE

An Andean chacaltaya lizard, also known as jararanko in Bolivia.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDRES SALAMANCA

‘Lizard patch?’ That's just one of the many healing remedies provided by the Andean lizard (above), known as jararanko. Traditional Indigenous healers in Bolivia have long relied on these reptiles to heal muscular pain and other ailments. But their collection for use in traditional medicine, along with a shrinking habitat, have created a problem for the species. Now it’s endangered.

TRADITIONAL DILEMMA

Today’s soundtrack: Bodysnatchers, Radiohead

Happy weekend! This newsletter has been curated and edited by Nancy San Martín, Jen Tse, and David Beard. We’d love to hear from you: [email protected].

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