Research Explorer

Project

MEMOR. A database and ethical framework for human skeletons from archaeological contexts in Flanders
Acronym
MEMOR
Code
174H01220
Duration
01 November 2020 → 31 December 2022
Funding
Regional and community funding: various
Research disciplines
  • Humanities and the arts
    • Archaeology of the Low countries or Belgium
    • Bioarchaeology
    • Heritage and cultural conservation
    • Materials conservation
    • Bioethics
Keywords
database human remains archaeology anthropology ethics Treaty of Malta Conservation Quantitative Surveys 15th Century 16th Century 17th Century 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century Contemporary Late Antiquity Middle Ages Antiquity Prehistory (Stone Age) Protohistory (Bronze Age, Iron Age) Belgium Ethics and morality
 
Project description

The aim of MEMOR is to:

1. Make an open access inventory of the human remains from archaeological research in Flanders using various paramaters to give archaeologists, physical anthropologists and other scientists a better understanding of the existing knowledge and research potential.

2. Research the legal framework and ethical practices in our neighbouring countries and compare them with the current situation in Flanders, in parallel with the mapping of the attitude of the recognized religions and philosophies of life towards human bone material.

3. Bring together the information: creating a broad-based scientific and ethical framework for dealing with human remains from archaeological excavations based on the inventory and on a dialogue between archaeologists, scientists, ethicists, and representatives of recognized religions and philosophies of life.

4. Offer a source of information about Flemish collections of human remains, their research potential and legal status, to both professionals and the general public. Communicating the ethical and scientific framework to the intended stakeholders.