Memor

A database of archeological human remains collections from Flanders, Belgium

Bibliographic Data

ID24314270
AuthorsI De Groote (0000-0002-9860-0180, Department of Archaeology, ArcheOs: Research Laboratory for Biological Anthropology Ghent University Ghent Belgium), Katrien Van de Vijver (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences Brussels Belgium), Barbara Veselka (Multidisciplinary Archaeology Research Institute, Department of Art Sciences and Archaeology Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium), Pieterjan De Potter (0000-0002-1289-6575, Department of Archaeology, ArcheOs: Research Laboratory for Biological Anthropology Ghent University Ghent Belgium), Liesbeth Massagé (Department of Archaeology, ArcheOs: Research Laboratory for Biological Anthropology Ghent University Ghent Belgium), Lien Van Der Dooren (BAAC Assenede Belgium), Jeroen Vandenborre (BAAC Assenede Belgium), Maarten H D Larmuseau (0000-0002-5974-7235, KU Leuven Research & Development Division archeoWorks Leuven Belgium), Jonas Danckers (UAntwerpen, ARCHES | Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences Antwerp Belgium), Bart Robberechts (PARCUM, Museum and Centre of Expertise for Religious Art and Culture Leuven Belgium)
Year2023
Volume181
Issue4
Pages677-681
Publication date2023-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Biological Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2692-7691 • E-ISSN: 2692-7691
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.24801
PMID37340940
OpenAlexW4381470745
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited2

The aim of this article is to describe a newly created open access database of archeological human remains collections from Flanders, Belgium. The MEMOR database ( www.memor.be ) was created to provide an overview of the current practices of loans, reburial, and the research potential of human skeletons from archeological sites currently stored in Flanders. In addition, the project aimed to provide a legal and ethical framework for the handling of human remains and was created around stakeholder involvement from anthropologists, geneticists, contract archeologists, the local, regional and national government agencies, local and national government, universities, and representatives of the major religions. The project has resulted in the creation of a rich database with many collections available for study. The database was created using the open‐source Arches data management platform that is freely available for organizations worldwide to configure in accordance with their individual needs and without restrictions on its use. Each collection is linked to information about the excavation and the site the remains originate from, its size and time period. In addition, a research potential tab reveals whether any analyses were performed, and whether excavation notes are available with the assemblage. The database currently contains 742 collections, ranging in size from 1 to over 1000 individuals. New collections will continue to be added when new assemblages are excavated and studied. The database can also be expanded to include human remains collections from other regions and other material categories, such as archaeozoological collections.

archaeological human remains · Flanders · human skeletal collections · open access databases · Stakeholder engagement · Archaeological Research and Protection · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Research Data Management Practices