Most people own collections. Some collect mugs, others collect shells. For SCW senior Laraya Duncan, that collection is animal bones! For 2 years, Laraya has been gathering and cleaning the bones of a variety of animals.

“I currently have 11 bones, including: a shark tooth, a turtle tooth, a turtle vertebrae, mystery bone (I think from a squirrel), a mouse skull, some mice teeth, a mouse femur, and a shrew jaw.” reflects Laraya. This assortment also includes a cicada wing, preserved flower, butterfly and muskrat foot cast. 

She got into this type of collection through the culture of goblincore, and her forensic science class. Whenever she sees a bone, whether it is at a park, or in her own backyard; she takes it home and begins the process of cleaning it.

Laraya explains, “Most of the time I just have them for decoration. I have a corner on my dresser that I keep all my ‘creepy’ things on. One of the bones however I made into a necklace, but I lost the chain.” 

While this is a very interesting and unique hobby, it begs the question; Why? Why does Laraya do what she does?

She puts it perfectly by saying, “I find them very interesting and beautiful. Something that stays after something is gone.”