The neck’s evolution and cultural impact explored in new book

Kent Dunlap examines the anatomy, history, and symbolic significance of the neck.

Illustration by Volodymyr Kozin

By Hayu Andini and Widya Putri

The Neck: A Natural and Cultural History,by Kent Dunlap

The human neck, often overlooked yet profoundly important, serves as a vital bridge between the head and the body. It enables movement, houses critical life-supporting structures, and carries deep cultural and symbolic meanings. In The Neck: A Natural and Cultural History, Kent Dunlap, a biology professor at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, explores this remarkable body part from multiple perspectives. He examines the neck’s evolutionary development, anatomical complexities, and the many ways it has been represented in art, fashion, and history.

Dunlap’s exploration extends beyond human biology to include vertebrates of all kinds, tracing the neck’s origins back hundreds of millions of years. He also considers its role in social hierarchies, from the high collars of European aristocrats to the blue-collar and white-collar distinctions of the modern workforce. At the same time, he delves into the vulnerabilities of the neck, which has historically been a site of both power and punishment, from execution methods to the modern strain of “tech neck.”

The neck’s dual nature: strength and vulnerability

The neck’s dual function as a symbol of vitality and a site of extreme vulnerability is central to Dunlap’s narrative. He opens his book with the tragic story of Isadora Duncan, the celebrated American dancer known for her free-spirited performances and Grecian-inspired attire. In 1927, while riding in an open-top car, Duncan’s flowing red scarf became entangled in the vehicle’s rear wheel, pulling her backward and snapping her neck instantly. The accident, both shocking and poetic, exemplifies the fragility of this exposed part of the body.

Dunlap explains that despite the neck’s importance—it supports the head, facilitates movement, and contains critical structures for breathing and digestion—it remains one of the most unprotected areas of the human body. Unlike the ribcage, which shields vital organs, or the skull, which encases the brain, the neck is exposed, making it highly susceptible to injury. This paradox has contributed to its historical and cultural significance, as well as its continued vulnerability in the modern world.

Evolutionary origins and anatomical complexity

The history of the neck dates back over 375 million years to Tiktaalik, an ancient aquatic predator that developed the ability to move its head independently of its body. This adaptation allowed early vertebrates to navigate land more effectively, marking a crucial evolutionary milestone. Dunlap explores how this newfound head mobility influenced survival strategies, eventually leading to more advanced forms of locomotion and vision.

Despite its evolutionary advantages, the human neck remains structurally flawed in certain ways. Dunlap notes that the placement of the windpipe in front of the esophagus—where food and air cross paths—creates a significant choking hazard. This design flaw, a remnant of evolutionary compromises, makes choking the fourth leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Similarly, the course of the laryngeal nerve, which detours from the brain down into the chest before looping back up to the voice box, is an inefficient anatomical feature inherited from our early vertebrate ancestors.

Dunlap describes the neck as a marvel of biomechanics, supporting the head while allowing for a wide range of motion. It is composed of seven cervical vertebrae, a number that remains consistent across most mammalian species, from tiny rodents to towering giraffes. These vertebrae, along with an intricate network of muscles, ligaments, and nerves, enable the head to tilt, rotate, and balance atop the spine. However, the delicate structure of the neck also makes it prone to strain and injury, particularly in the modern era of prolonged screen usage.

The cultural and symbolic significance of the neck

Beyond its biological functions, the neck has long been a symbol of power, status, and identity. Throughout history, neckwear has served as a marker of social standing, from the elaborate ruffs of 16th-century European aristocracy to the silk scarves of high fashion. In the Elizabethan era, starched collars known as ruffs framed the head in a way that reinforced the idea of noble superiority, visually elevating the wearer above common society. These stiff, pleated accessories, often made of fine lace, required meticulous maintenance and signified wealth and refinement.

Dunlap explores how neckwear has continued to reflect social hierarchies in more modern times. The term “white collar” emerged in the early 20th century to distinguish office workers, who wore starched white shirts and ties, from “blue collar” laborers, whose rugged attire was designed for physical work. This linguistic distinction persists today, underscoring the role of the neck as a focal point of professional and class identity.

The neck has also been a site of control and punishment throughout history. Shackles and iron collars were used to restrain enslaved individuals and prisoners, while execution methods such as hanging and beheading specifically targeted the neck as a means of delivering swift justice. Dunlap recounts the introduction of the guillotine during the French Revolution, which was intended to provide a more humane and egalitarian form of capital punishment. However, the very nature of decapitation as a public spectacle reinforced the idea that the neck was a symbolic threshold between life and death.

The modern impact of ‘tech neck’

In the contemporary world, the neck faces a new challenge: tech neck. Dunlap highlights the growing prevalence of chronic neck pain and posture problems caused by excessive screen use. As people spend more time looking down at smartphones and tablets, they place increased strain on the cervical spine, leading to tension, stiffness, and long-term musculoskeletal issues.

The human body is designed for upright posture, with the eyes naturally aligned with the horizon. However, prolonged downward gazing disrupts this balance, forcing the neck muscles to compensate. Dunlap warns that the modern habit of staring into small screens for hours on end is not only affecting spinal health but also altering the way people interact with the world. Unlike early humans, who relied on panoramic vision to scan their environments, today’s individuals are often absorbed in a narrow digital focus, limiting their awareness of their surroundings.

A compelling exploration of a vital body part

Dunlap’s The Neck: A Natural and Cultural History is a fascinating examination of a body part that is both essential and often taken for granted. By weaving together insights from anatomy, history, anthropology, and contemporary science, he presents a compelling case for why the neck deserves greater attention. His exploration extends from the deep past of vertebrate evolution to the modern challenges of digital-age posture, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of this critical structure.

Throughout the book, Dunlap’s writing is both scientifically rigorous and deeply engaging. His discussions of historical neckwear, execution methods, and evolutionary quirks provide a broad yet cohesive narrative that underscores the neck’s unique role in shaping human experience. Whether analyzing ancient fossils, aristocratic fashion, or the effects of smartphone use, Dunlap offers an illuminating perspective on a subject that is, quite literally, central to our existence.

In an era where posture problems and digital distractions are becoming increasingly prevalent, The Neck serves as both an informative study and a reminder of the importance of maintaining awareness of this vital yet vulnerable part of the body.

More from Bookshelf

Rebecca Haw Allensworth’s The Licensing Racket reveals how professional boards prioritize self-interest over consumer protection.
Anne Tyler’s Three Days in June captures a woman’s emotional journey through career setbacks and family drama.
Ava Barry’s Shoot the Moon explores loss, privilege, and deception in Los Angeles.