Years in the making, the Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology and Anthropology of Body Modification is perhaps the largest book (1100+ pages) ever produced on the antiquity of body modification and coming to YOU December 2025 by Oxford Handbooks.
I penned the opening chapter for the Tattoo section and others cover the antiquity and practice of Body Piercing, Cranial and Dental Modification, Other Mods, Museum Collections, and other topics.
In sum, the Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology and Anthropology of Body Modification provides a comprehensive understanding of these practices, addressing evolving cultures and identities, while also revealing the universal human desire to transcend the ordinary and connect with something greater. By exploring practices such as cranial shaping, teeth filing, tattooing, body piercing, and other modifications, this comprehensive volume sheds light on the evolution and diversification of body modification across time and space.