A major element of the research programme is a museum exhibition highlighting the project’s themes; this is both a means of disseminating our results and, equally importantly, a means of bringing together the ideas from the various projects into an interdisciplinary synthesis. This innovative exhibition will examine technologies used to inspect, transform, animate and recompose the human body in historical, cross-cultural and disciplinary contexts. Drawing on insights from the Leverhulme-funded project "Changing Beliefs of the Human Body", as well as research in the history of medicine and the sciences, including recent biomedical research, the exhibition challenges pre-conceived notions about the body. What counts as evidence for bodies? What are the technologies through which different bodies are made visible? And, what kinds of assumptions does this introduce about the different bodies with which we work?

Cambridge has a long and vital history as a site in which beliefs about the human body have been developed, tested, challenged and reworked. The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology played a pivotal role in the formation of disciplinary notions of bodies from other times and cultures. It provides a dramatic venue in which to interrogate notions of "the body" which may seem so commonsensical, and indeed those which seem "alien". These notions range across disciplines; for example, the two images above, both representing strong traditions within the University’s intellectual history and resources, represent radically different ways of understanding what the human body is, and the intellectual challenge implicit in the contrast between them summarise much of what this exhibition will be about.

left: Malanggan, mortuary effigy. Northern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea. Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology. 1890.177
right:  Replica of Crick & Watson’s model of the structure of DNA. 2003.  MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Assembling Bodies demonstrates the productive capacity of interdisciplinary research and will highlight the extraordinarily rich and diverse collections within the University. Artefacts and images, including contemporary art works will be juxtaposed in visually and intellectually stimulating ways. Aimed at attracting a diverse range of local and international publics, the exhibition will encourage audiences to engage with scientific and other understandings of the body, which vary widely across cultures, historical periods and disciplines. A broad range of outreach activities are planned in conjunction with the exhibition. These include a scholarly conference, workshops, gallery talks, school and community programmes and family events. A dynamic and interactive webspace will enhance the exhibition experience, provide additional content and scope for interaction, and will remain accessible via the Museum’s website after the exhibition closes.

The exhibition is currently planned to open on March 6th, 2009, coinciding with the University’s 800th anniversary and the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Museum itself.