This study investigates whether digital analysis methods, using techniques such as RTI and  photogrammetry, are well suited for implementation in the field of anthropology. More specifically, it explores the utility of these techniques in the context of working on fragile, less accessible material as well as particularly constraining experimental conditions at the ossuary of Rothwell. This study seeks to ascertain if common anthropological examination of osteological remains through the recording of their anthropometric measurements can be operated on virtually recreated models. It also scrutinises whether features such as skeletal variances of pathological lesions can be well discerned on digital models. This study was operated without prior knowledge in the field of digital imaging; the results are therefore aimed to be useful to anthropologists less willing to focus on the technical aspects of these technologies, but who rather aspire to discern what could be best achieved with these new tools in such challenging working conditions. In essence, this study provides a new way to engage in osteological analysis at the ossuary at Rothwell as a consequence of having highlighted how 3D imagery can be effectively used for proper anthropological analysis. The results of the study are deemed satisfying; eventually, they might allow to create prospects for the conservation of the collection in the ossuary.

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À l’Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique ainsi qu’au Laboratoire d’Anthropologie et de Génétique humaine de l’ULB sont conservées une partie des collections de la Société d’Anthropologie de Bruxelles (SAB), constituées dès 1882. Ces collections, majoritairement ostéologiques, sont dépourvues d’informations sur leur contexte de découverte et d’étude et sont non -inventoriées. Le but de ce travail vise à la réidentification du matériel et de voir s’il a été publié au moment de la constitution de ces collections, par le biais de la lecture du Bulletin créé par la SAB dès sa fondation. Après avoir mené des comparaisons entre les informations relevées dans le Bulletin et le contenu de ces collections, nous avons pu retrouver l’identité contextuelle d’une partie du matériel et ainsi cerner la valeur qu’il a pu avoir à l’époque de son intégration dans les collections. Il s’agit également de constater de quelle manière il est conservé. Enfin, une discussion est lancée sur les problématiques techniques et éthiques liées à la conservation de restes ostéologiques humains dans les institutions scientifiques.

Sept 2011 (Master Thesis, Université Libre de Bruxelles)

Unpublished or forgotten 19th century collections from the Royal Belgian Society of Anthropology and Prehistory: a re-evaluation. Vol. 1: Background – Study of the collections– Discussion, 124 p. Vol. 2: Identified material– appendix, 81 p., 5 appendice.

(Supervisors: Prof. R. Orban, Dr. C.Polet, Dr.M. Vancauteren, Dr. E. Warmenbol)

Among the first anthropological collection in Belgium, a part of the collections of the Anthropological Society of Brussels (SAB in French) gathered from 1882 on, are currently kept in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, as well as in the Laboratory of Human Genetics of the Université Libre de Bruxelles. These collections, in majority of osteological nature, lack information about the context of their finding and study, and are not part of any inventory. The goal of this study was to identify the material and to link it with a potential publication which would have been issued when these collections started to be constituted. This was done by a thorough research of articles in the monthly “bulletin” that was emitted by the SAB since its foundation. After having led comparisons between the information identified in the bulletin and the material, it was possible to discern the contextual identity of the material and therefore outline the value it had when it was formerly integrated in the collections of the SAB. The conditions of conservation of the material were also analysed. Lastly, a discussion was initiated about the technical and ethical issues surrounding the topic of conservation of human osteological remains within scientific institutions.