Project

Lieu(x) de mémoire for Judith, first countess of Flanders. Valorisation for a broad audience of new historical, bio-anthropological and archaeological research into a tenth-century elite necropolis beneath Saint-Peter's square in Ghent

Code
BOF/MVF/202209/008
Duration
01 April 2023 → 31 March 2025
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Anthropological genetics
  • Humanities and the arts
    • Archaeology of Europe, the Mediterranean and the Levant
    • Bioarchaeology
    • Medieval archaeology
    • Medieval history
    • Gender studies
Keywords
Gender history History of Flanders Medieval history Archaeology Biological anthropology Saint-Peter's abbey in Ghent Skeletons
 
Project description

This valorisation project offers the general public the opportunity to learn about the interdisciplinary research at Ghent University into a unique find from the earliest history of the County of Flanders. In 2003-2006 archaeologists discovered the graves of seven elite individuals beneath Saint-Peter’s square in Ghent, one of which was hypothetically identified as Judith, the first countess of Flanders. Two decades later historians, bio-anthropologists, and archaeologists have joined forces for a fully new and innovative study of this case study, employing the latest methods and techniques in their respective disciplines. The results of this research will underpin the major autumn exhibition of Historische Huizen (2024), among other applications and communication actions. However, in order to highlight the scientific process and the inter- and transdisciplinary character of the research, this project additionally aims to develop valorisation activities with distinct Ghent University branding. These will target diverse audiences from all age groups and secure maximum visibility, both short and long-term.