What is Bones Day?

Bones Day has been celebrated since 1996 as an international day of remembrance for bones and the people who work with them. Incredibly, Bones Day is celebrated on the exact date, year by year, of the discovery of the first complete human skeleton.

On October 5, 1996, a team of archeologists uncovered the bones of a 9,000-year-old woman in southern Mexico. Mining workers in the locality unearthed the ancient remains while they were digging a new sewer line and notified the authorities.

The significance of the discovery could not be overstated. It was the first human skeleton ever to be unearthed in the Americas and a major breakthrough in the study of early humans. In a celebratory gesture, the team marked the historic occasion with a symbolic cake covered in bones. Thus, Bones Day was born!

What We Can Learn from Bones Day

Bones Day isn’t just about celebrating a discovery; it’s about recognizing the importance of bones and what they can tell us about the past. Bones are incredibly resilient and play an integral role in forensic science and anthropology. Through them, we can learn not just about the appearance of a living being but also their lifestyle and general wellbeing.

Bones also provide us with an unparalleled look into the history of mankind and our evolutionary story. Many of the bones that have been discovered through archaeological digs contain vital information about our past and offer invaluable insight into early cultures and societies.

How to Celebrate

In modern times, Bones Day is celebrated by both archeologists and the general public alike. If you want to join in on the fun, there are many ways to get involved! You could visit a natural history museum and learn more about the bones on display, or how about cooking up a cake made from sugar and icing sugar replicas of bones?

You could even set up your own “skeleton school” and educate yourself about the world of bones and forensic science. Alternatively, why not share a picture of your own favorite bone on social media and use the hashtag #BonesDay?

No matter which way you decide to mark this special day, be sure to keep the importance of bones in your mind.