House of Skulls with Marc Fennell

De: Marc Fennell

Narrado por: Marc Fennell

This series contains discussion of human remains. Listener discretion is advised.

In the basement of one of the world's most prestigious universities, there was a classroom lined with a collection of human skulls from around the globe. Join award-winning journalist Marc Fennell (It Burns, Nut Jobs, Stuff the British Stole) as he takes you on a captivating global journey through the mysterious Morton Cranial Collection. You will encounter an Australian cannibal, explore the depths of ancient Egyptian looted tombs, and piece together the story behind one of America's most tragic acts of police violence. This is the story of racism in America and the world told as you’ve never heard it before. And it’s all waiting right inside the House of Skulls.

Hosted And Co-Produced by Marc Fennell

Produced by Sony Music Entertainment

House of Skulls is an Audible Original

©2023 Audible Australia Pty Ltd (P)2024 Audible Australia Pty Ltd

Totally fascinating true story

This podcast shows how supremely talented Marc Fennel is as a journalist, researcher, writer, and storyteller. He has an engaging style, fairly balanced perspective, and well-organized writing. This riveting true story really rivals Jon Ronson's work in its fascinating search for truth and social justice. This complex story involves human remains, ethics in science, and racism through history. There are some disturbing parts, but it was uplifting as well. I had been unaware that a city had bombed some of its own people in 1983! And this city is not on some other continent. I am glad that I learned all of this.

Riveting Podcast!

Very original story that's well-researched, well-reported, and very well-told. The host Marc Fennell is fantastic. Beautifully composed music. I listened twice because I didn't want to lose a single detail.

so powerful and personal

This is such a difficult history for all, racism is taught in societies alongside nationalism, pride in one's heritage.
This book should be part of a school curriculum, it explains the subtle and insidious way racism plays out, so painful for those suffering.
As a white South African growing up with Apartheid laws, I instinctively knew how wrong, sinister and destructive this thinking was. My parents would warn me that I would get into trouble, my attitude was too obvious.

Thanks for such a wonderful, delicately told story, it helps to release pain gently.

Another fascinating piece by Marc

Marc is one of the best investigative journalist of our generation. Yet another fascinating podcast from him. Well worth a listen.

Mark Fennell is one of the best story tellers and podcasters of our time

The House of Skulls offers audiences a comprehensive understanding of The University of Pennsylvania‘s house of skulls. A wide, and sometimes unusually connected, breadth of history is used to tell this story. One of the best podcasts I’ve ever listened to!

Another great story from Fennell

The first 2/3s of the listen is an interesting history of UPenn’s Morton Collection of skulls from around the world, most part of BIPOC communities and all completely unwilling members of this collection.

However, once Fennell changes gears, the story becomes not just interesting but moving. The last chapter reduced me to tears.

Congrats to Mark Fennell for reminding his listeners of everyone’s humanity.

outstanding as always

marc does such a great job narrating and bringing unique and important topics to the public

Poignant history told by the best

Marc Fennell is the best! Could listen to him all day long.
I love all his podcasts and this one was so very interesting and eye opening.
As stated numerous times by the interviewees, this was a part of American science history that I never knew about. It was hard to listen to some of the clips but it’s important, and was so worth it to hear a side of history that has been hidden in plain sight for so long.
I love that Marc and his team were able to procure such amazing interviews and that he ended the story on a good note, coming full circle in a way.
Highly recommend if you’re into social and scientific histories.

Fascinating, thought-provoking, & heartbreaking

This serial comes together beautifully, merging cultural & scientific ideas from the past with those from the present. It also shines a light on the curiosity we should have when we encounter items from the past. The production & writing are wonderful, & Marc Fennell is an excellent narrator. Highly recommend!

Factual scientific “who done it & how” - from today back to the 1800.

Given the highly charged topic of repatriation from very powerful institutions, the podcast remained solidly footed in actual events, supporting evidence and first person interviews or correspondence where possible. Yet the emotional through line could be conveyed by those affected & involved in the controversy. Eye opening in how the same transgressions happen again & again, from the current period back through the 1800s. One thinks “currently NOT AGAIN, NOT TODAY”. Alternatively, interviews of champions to protect those who have been forgotten and are among the powerless - and have succeeded in doing so, at no personal gain. Simply uplifting regarding what some have done to keep additional damage from occurring. Podcast is remarkable in clearly identifying how interwoven seemingly unrelated travesties are connected.