“Guanchinescan Antiquities”. Commerce and collecting of archeological remains from the Canary Islands

Abstract

The aim of this paper is a long-term examination of the history of the collecting of material culture and bio-anthropological remains from the Canary Islands ancient settlers since the 18th century onward. This traffic of objects was determined to a great extent by the presence of mummification in their funerary rites and by the academic controversy surrounding their ethnic origins. In relation to these facts, the text analyzes the different agents and the different interests involved in the knowledge and the international circulation of these objects formerly belonging to the so-called “guanches.” Finally, the current situation of this traffic and the latest cases of moving of mummies and other human remains from ancient Canary Islanders that are preserved in museums or collections will be addressed.