In one seven-month period in 2012–13, there were 454 human skulls listed on eBay.com, with an average opening bid of $648.63 (eBay subsequently banned the practice). Many skulls for private sale have questionable origins, sourced from the thriving bone trades in India and China. The bones are obtained from people who couldn’t afford cremation or burial—not exactly ethical sourcing. These plucky bone sellers will tell you that it’s not human remains they sell, but human bones. Most state laws prohibit the sale of “remains,” but bones are totally legal and in keeping with the law, they will say.
