UPI
NEW YORK, Jan. 22 (UPI) — Christie’s auction house said Friday a human skull and crossbones once used as a secret society’s ballot box will not be up for auction as planned in New York.
The auction house confirmed in a statement the human remains once used by the secret Order of Skull and Bones at Yale University were removed from Friday’s auction due to a claim on the rights to the remains, CNN said.
The identity of the party behind the claim was not released.
The withdrawn auction item was also set to include a book containing the names of all Skull and Bones members between 1831 and 1877.
The bones used as a ballot box by the collegiate group were estimated to be worth as much as $20,000.
The planned auction of the skull and crossbones was previously opposed by the World Archaeological Congress, which labeled the auction offering as an “affront to human dignity.”
CNN said the archaeological group also suggested the skull may be protected under federal laws because of suspicions it is from an American Indian.
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Skull and crossbones removed from auction
UPI
NEW YORK, Jan. 22 (UPI) — Christie’s auction house said Friday a human skull and crossbones once used as a secret society’s ballot box will not be up for auction as planned in New York.
The auction house confirmed in a statement the human remains once used by the secret Order of Skull and Bones at Yale University were removed from Friday’s auction due to a claim on the rights to the remains, CNN said.
The identity of the party behind the claim was not released.
The withdrawn auction item was also set to include a book containing the names of all Skull and Bones members between 1831 and 1877.
The bones used as a ballot box by the collegiate group were estimated to be worth as much as $20,000.
The planned auction of the skull and crossbones was previously opposed by the World Archaeological Congress, which labeled the auction offering as an “affront to human dignity.”
CNN said the archaeological group also suggested the skull may be protected under federal laws because of suspicions it is from an American Indian.