The river Senne has disappeared from the urban landscape since it was vaulted over in the 19th century, but it played a crucial role in the origin and economic development of the medieval city. In 2019 the remains of the medieval port on the river Senne were brought to light during a large excavation (nearly 6000m2) in the city centre of Brussels. Besides the discovery of a 12th-13th century bank reinforcement and an impressive stone quay wall (mainly 14th-15th century), meters thick excellently preserved waterlogged fluvial deposits from different phases of the river were excavated. These layers, dating between the 10th and 15th century, were extensively sampled for archaeobotanical(macrobotanical remains, pollen and phytoliths), archaeozoological and geoarchaeological studies. In this presentation we will discuss the results of the interdisciplinary study of these numerous samples, with a main focus on the plant remains. The assemblages consist of a mixture of naturally deposited material from the vegetation in the Senne valley and waste dumped in the river. Indeed, as urbanisation intensified, the river became used as an open sewer in which all kinds of refuse were disposed of. Thanks to the interdisciplinary approach and comparison with assemblages from several other sites in Brussels diverse types of waste could be distinguished, including artisanal(e.g. textile working and dyeing), domestic and consumption waste as well as remains of fuel and human and animal excrements. The exceptional diversity of the plant material (>300 taxa) recovered from this fluvial urban context and its perfect preservation offer a unique insight into various aspects of daily life in the city.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2023
The digitization of natural history collections is revolutionizing the preservation and utilization of biological and geological specimens. These collections, encompassing diverse ecosystems and time periods, are invaluable for scientific research, education, and conservation. However, physical specimens face challenges such as degradation, limited accessibility, and logistical difficulties. Digitization addresses these issues by converting specimens into high-resolution digital formats, preserving their integrity and making them widely accessible. This presentation explores the development of a unified platform for the digital twins of natural history specimens, focusing on standardization, management, and accessibility of multimedia files. The platform aims to integrate various digitization efforts as the Distributed System of Scientific Collections (DiSSCo ERIC) in Europe. This initiative adheres to the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) to enhance research capabilities and interdisciplinary studies. Key components of the platform include: 1. Digitization Techniques: High-resolution imaging, 3D scanning, and photogrammetry are used to create digital twins of specimens. These techniques ensure comprehensive documentation and accessibility for scientific research. 2. Metadata: The Darwin Core and ABCD standards for biodiversity data are managed by the institution CMS and DICOM is used for high-resolution and 3D imaging data. Links between CMS and Multimedia server are achieved using UUID/permalinks. This ensures quality, consistency, and interoperability of data. 3. Multimedia File Management: The platform utilizes the Open Source ORTHANC server, which supports various multimedia formats and provides a RESTful API for integration with other systems. Custom plugins and viewers were adapted or developed to enhance the visualization and analysis of digital specimens. 4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: By providing a unified structure, the platform facilitates large-scale data analysis including access by AI and fosters collaboration among researchers, educators, and the general public. The integration of digital technologies into natural history collections not only safeguards specimens but also democratizes access to data, enabling global research and education. The proposed platform represents a significant advancement in the field, promoting the preservation and utilization of natural history collections in the digital age using Open Sources technologies. The proposed platform can easily be reused in a CH context.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2025
