Core Concepts
Philippe Charlier, a paleopathologist and author, delves into historical figures' causes of death and death rituals, combining medicine and archaeology to uncover stories from the past.
Stats
Charlier had to do over 2000 autopsies.
Charlier refuted the authenticity of the so-called relics of Joan of Arc.
Charlier signed an article confirming, with 99.99% certainty, that an embalmed head is that of Henry IV.
Quotes
"The way that humans have of going beyond death, at times brilliantly aestheticizing death with revenants, phantoms, ghosts, vampires, zombies...all these variations on death across civilizations fascinate me."
"What I do is medical anthropology, whether it involves historical figures or understanding the rituals around life and death."