The History of the Body

The history of the body explores how people have understood, represented, and valued the human body over time. Ancient cultures viewed it through religious and philosophical lenses, seeing it as divine or mortal. During the Renaissance, anatomical studies advanced, balancing scientific inquiry with artistic depiction. The 19th and 20th centuries introduced new disciplines like biology, medicine, and gender studies, revealing complex insights about identity, health, and social norms. Today, the body is examined in terms of biology, technology, and culture, emphasizing its fluidity and significance in personal identity and societal structure.