Item #: SCP-017


Object Class: Safe


Special Containment Procedures: SCP-017, while not in use, is to be stored in a Standard containment box in Storage Area 22. Experiments may only be conducted via written request to Site Director ████████. Special care is to be taken when moving or otherwise handling SCP-017 due to its advanced age and damage.


As of June 25th, 20██, SCP-017 has been cleared for use by General T██████ and as such may not always be available for testing.


Description: SCP-017 is the skull of a human male, between 20 to 31 years old. Analysis of the skull determines the age of the object to be around 370 years old, and it appears to be in a poor condition due to neglect and old age.

The jaw, attached to the skull via two spikes, has been pivoted downwards, and a brass funnel has been placed in the open “mouth”. Attempts to date the brass has been inconclusive, although the condition of the metal makes the funnel at the very least 100 years old.

Testing of the skull and the funnel have concluded that both objects are non-anomalous.


When SCP-017 comes into contact with the biological remains of a deceased human being, it will gain a personality (referred to as SCP-017-1) which appears to be the deceased human in question. SCP-017-1 will speak via the brass funnel, and will react to visual and auditory stimuli. How SCP-017-1 does this is unknown.

The voice, language, memories and personality of SCP-017-1 has been found to always match whoever the remains was when he/she was alive (as far as such information is known). SCP-017-1 will always be aware of its current state of being (deceased), although it cannot explain why.

Removing SCP-017 from contact with the body will turn the object inactive, and SCP-017-1 will instantly disappear.


SCP-017-1 can be “re-used” a seemingly infinite amount of times on the same remains, although instances of SCP-017-1 will often object and become increasingly hostile, citing they want to be “left alone alone to rest”.


Experiment Log 017-1:

The first experiment was conducted to understand the effects of SCP-017.


Subject: D-017-1

Time of Death: 2 minutes before experiment began

Cause of death: Termination via standard Foundation sidearm. Subject shot through heart by Agent C███.

Procedure: Subject was not informed about SCP-017’s anomalous properties prior to termination. Skull placed on subjects bare chest.

Note: D-017-1 was scheduled for monthly termination the day after.


<Interview Begins>


Dr. Somel: D-017-1, can you hear me?


SCP-107-1: What the fuck doc, why did you guys just fucking shoot me? What the hell?


Dr. Somel: Are you aware that you are dead, D-017-1?


SCP-017-1: Of course i fucking am, you fuckers SHOT me! And now I’m speaking through a skull! Just fucking remove this thing and let me rest goddamnit.


Dr. Somel: Rest? What did you experience between your termination and contact with SCP-017?


SCP-017-1: First you shoot me and then you want me to help? Fuck you!


Dr. Somel: The faster you tell us what we want to know the sooner we will remove SCP-017.


SCP-017-1: Fucking christ, I hate you all so much.


<Interview shortened for brevity>


The remaining information gathered from Experiment 017-1 has been added to the description, and since it will probably be the first thing you read in this document, i have decided to shorten the interview to prevent repetition. -Dr. Somel.


Experiment Log 017-2

Experiment conducted to determine the maximum damage possible to remains that may be used by SCP-017.


Subject: D-017-1

Time of Death: Two hours before experiment began

Cause of Death: See Experiment Log 017-1

Procedure: Subjects remains were incinerated after Experiment 017-1 and prior to 017-2. SCP-017 Placed on D-017-1’s ash.


Result: Contact successful, Subject told researchers to “Go fuck [themselves]” and remove SCP-017 from his ashes.

Ashes disposed of according to post-termination guidelines.


Subject was aware of his current state, but refused to speak after initial contact and remained silent until removal of SCP-017. -Dr. Somel.


Experiment Log 017-4

Experiment conducted to determine the maximum age of biological remains that may be used by SCP-017.


Subject: Skeletal remains of a female between 30 to 40 years of age.

Time of Death: 44 BC. (20██ years since death)

Cause of Death: Bone cancer, spread across left leg

Procedure: Subjects fingerbone placed upon SCP-017. Subject spoke in ancient Latin. Interview was conducted with the help of a translator and the following document has been transcribed in English.

Note: Skeletal remains found buried in un-earthed mausoleum below St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, in 19██.


<Interview Begins>


SCP-017-1: Where am I? Have i been dead for long?


Dr. Somel: Can you hear me?


SCP-017-1: Yes, and who might you be?


Dr. Somel: My name is Dr. Somel, would you please state your name and age?


SCP-017-1: Is this an interview of some sort? My name is… or was Junia Livius Dives. I have been dead for some time. I became 36 years old. (Note: Names and age match grave text found in mausoleum).


Dr. Somel: So you are aware that you are dead? How?


SCP-017-1: Yes, I’m aware, but I’m afraid i cannot tell why. I just know.


Dr. Somel: How is death, can you describe it?


SCP-017-1: Again, i cannot say. But when you placed my finger upon this skull, it felt like I woke up from a long sleep. Oh it felt like a wonderful sleep. Could you please make me return?


Dr. Somel: After you answer my last question, what is the last thing you remember before your death?


SCP-017-1: My brother told me shortly before i died of the murder of Gaius Julius Caesar. May i sleep now?


Fingerbone removed from SCP-017 and placed in storage.


It appears that the age and state of the biological remains does not interfere with SCP-017’s anomalous effects. -Dr. Somel.


Experiment Log 017-7

Experiment conducted to determine the effect of SCP-017 when in contact with remains of two different deceased humans the the same time.


Subjects: D-017-2 And D-017-3

Time of Death: 1 Hour before experiment began

Case of Death: [DATA EXPUNGED] as per normal monthly termination protocols

Procedure: Both remains incinerated and ashes mixed together. SCP-017 Placed upon ashes.


Result: [DATA EXPUNGED]. Five researchers (Including Dr. Somel) and one Agent sent to medical ward for temporary hearing loss and headaches.


Let’s not do that again. Both Research Assistant Henning and I have contracted Tinnitus, and SCP-017 has received a crack on it’s left temple. Testing with multiple remains are hereby prohibited. -Dr. Somel.


Addendum 017-1

As of June 25th, SCP-017 has been accepted for use by General T██████ to extract information from deceased operatives. Staff wishing to conduct experiments on SCP-017 are now required to send in their application 1 week before testing is scheduled.


- Site Director ████████.


Addendum 0-17-2


I don’t think General T██████ is aware of the concept “fragile”: Since allowed access, SCP-017 has received an additional crack on the lower left jaw, lost three teeth, and a large dent on the brass funnel. Thankfully, SCP-017 is still functional, but how much damage can it handle before being inadvertently neutralized? I am fully aware of the useful applications of the skull, but the Foundation is about Containment, not to speak with the dead.


I formally request the revocation of access to General T██████ until she learns how to handle delicate objects with care.


- Dr. Somel.