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Nearly every geological subdiscipline relies to some degree on regional geological knowledge. In the introductory section of most geological papers it is standard practice to provide regional geological background information. Stratigraphic terminology is often well defined while other disciplinary concepts rely, at least to some degree, on generally agreed definitions or hierarchical schemes, such as paleontological, structural or magmatic terminology. This, however, is much less the case for the regional geological building blocks. Their names are usually composed of a combination of a geographical locality and a geological term. A few examples from Belgium are Brabant Massif, Campine Basin, Stavelot-Venn Inlier, and Malmedy Graben. Most of these have in common that, although their importance is well recognised, their definitions are vague and sometimes even conflicting, in that their meaning may differ between contexts and authors. Even if their meaning has drifted or become less exact, as a result of their frequent historical use, they commonly remain in use today. This issue is not exclusive to Belgium, but seems to be an altogether historic and worldwide phenomenon. Recently within Europe there is a growing awareness of this issue, resulting in important but rather isolated efforts to better structure and define regional information (Hintersberger et al. 2017; Németh 2021; Le Bayon et al. 2022) which have been brought together through pan-European cooperation (GSEU – Horizon Europe 101075609). The central element that seems to encompass most geologic features, is the lithotectonic unit (a distinct unit based on its partly separate geological history; URI: http://inspire.ec.europa.eu/codelist/GeologicUnitTypeValue/lithotectonicUnit). Grabens, basins and inliers are examples of lithotectonic units. In order to define and describe these units more accurately, lithotectonic limits are introduced. These are planar features, such as faults and unconformities, that correspond to the geologic events that formed the lithotectonic unit (Piessens et al. 2024). All information is organised and linked in vocabularies (thesauri) that together not only adequately define each concept, but also determine the relations between them, placing them in space and geological time (Plašienka 1999). This outlines the core methodology, around which 2D and 3D multi-scale visualisations are built, annotations can be added, existing ontologies can be linked (such as the ICS Geological Time Scale Ontology; Cox and Richard, 2005) and newly developed extensions such as the Modified Wilson Cycle (Németh 2021). As such, the work at Belgian level is closely linked to the ongoing international developments. Making use of the ongoing developments at European level, Belgium was the first country to set up a lithotectonic working group that became operational in 2023. Its first goal is to provide a lithotectonic framework that describes a starting set of main geological units and limits in Belgium, according to emerging European standards (the work at European level is linked to the implementation of INSPIRE and 195 is in communication with the GeoSciML community), by the end of 2024. The working group meets approximately every 2 months, and organisationally resides under the National Commission for Stratigraphy in Belgium. The working group will soon be looking for additional experts (junior and senior) in its continuing effort to identify and define broad superstructures, detail the regional geology to the more local level, to tackle new types of lithotectonic elements, or better address parts of geological history. Potential candidates are encouraged to contact one of the authors or the NCS secretariat. Cox SJD, Richard SM (2005) A formal model for the geologic time scale and global stratotype section and point, compatible with geospatial information transfer standards. Geosphere 1:119. https://doi.org/10.1130/GES00022.1 Hintersberger E, Iglseder C, Schuster R, Huet B (2017) The new database “Tectonic Boundaries” at the Geological Survey of Austria. Jahrbuch der geologischen Bundesanstalt 157:195–207 Le Bayon B, Padel M, Baudin T, et al (2022) The geological-event reference system, a step towards geological data harmonization. BSGF - Earth Sci Bull 193:18. https://doi.org/10.1051/bsgf/2022017 Németh Z (2021) Lithotectonic units of the Western Carpathians: Suggestion of simple methodology for lithotectonic units defining, applicable for orogenic belts world-wide. Mineralia Slovaca 2:81–90 Piessens K, Walstra J, Willems A, Barros R (2024) Old concepts in a new semantic perspective: introducing a geotemporal approach to conceptual definitions in geology. Life Sciences Plašienka D (1999) Definition and correlation of tectonic units with a special reference to some Central Western Carpathian examples. Mineralia Slovaca 31:3–16

While geological models traditionally focus on the natural status of the underground, the shallow subsurface has been significantly altered by human activities over centuries. Particularly in urban contexts, ground has been raised, reworked, filled-in or disturbed in other ways. The rationale behind these alterations is as varied as the characteristics of the associated anthropogenic deposits: large-scale structures such as residential and industrial areas built on extensive sheets of filling materials or reclaimed lands are intertwined with smaller-scale features related, for example, to road and railway infrastructures, dikes or landfills. Their composition is equally diverse, ranging from displaced natural materials, such as crushed rocks, gravel, sand or clay, to artificial substances like recycled steel slags, concrete or rubble, or mixtures of these. Gaining knowledge on the presence and characteristics of such deposits is highly relevant, as their physical and chemical behaviour may differ significantly from those of natural deposits. The significance of anthropogenic deposits is increasingly recognized in urban geology. Resolving the geometry and properties of the urban shallow subsurface is essential for anticipating associated risks, for example dealing with pollution, ground stability or distorted water infiltration patterns. Anthropogenic deposits are, however, often scantily archived in permit documentation or represented on (geological) maps. Within the GSEU (Geological Service for Europe) project, the GSB is contributing to the task to develop a common, international vocabulary to describe all aspects of anthropogenic deposits, allowing standardised representation and characterisation in geological models. In parallel, VITO is developing shallow subsurface urban models for the Flemish government (VPO) within the VLAKO-framework, such as the published model of the Antwerp harbour and city. As the anthropogene inherently is part of these models, we are always aiming to better incorporate these deposits into the models. However, modelling the anthropogene presents unique challenges due to its high-resolution variability, scarcity of input data, and dynamic nature. It requires an approach that differs radically from traditional geological modelling techniques, in which depositional concepts related to the sedimentational or structural environment can be incorporated. In this presentation we will outline how we integrate various 1D, 2D and 3D sources to identify and characterize anthropogenic deposits and incorporate these insights in a 3D geological model of the anthropogene. This methodology is applied to the urban periphery of Brussels, where a new 3D geological model is being developed to support infrastructure projects and urban planning with special focus on the ring road (R0) of Brussels. Secondly, we will evaluate current lithological standards, vocabulary and stratigraphic approaches to characterize anthropogenic deposits. We will discuss their applicability in Flanders with practical examples from the periphery of Brussels. Ultimately, improving the representation of the anthropogene in geological models will significantly enhance their utility for urban planning, environmental management, and the sustainable utilization of the subsurface in urban areas.

L’archéo-anthropologie a le plus souvent investi l’archéologie des conflits par le biais des sépultures multiples, mais d’autres aspects, en particulier celui de la gestion des blessés à l’issue de batailles, peuvent également être documentés. Les fouilles menées par le collectif Waterloo Uncovered, qui lie recherche scientifique et œuvre sociale à destination de vétérans souffrant de stress post-traumatique, explorent depuis quelques années le champ de bataille de Waterloo, notamment les abords de la ferme Mont-Saint-Jean. Cet établissement a servi d’ambulance, c’est-à-dire d’hôpital militaire à la coalition alliée, et plus de 6000 soldats y furent opérés pendant 4 jours en juin 1815. Les investigations ont révélé une fosse contenant des membres humains amputés, correspondant à des jambes ou des bras et à plusieurs types de blessure et niveaux d’amputation. Ces restes humains étaient mêlés à de petites boîtes de munitions et à trois squelettes d’équidés déjà morts ou achevés sur place. Enfin, un squelette humain complet, de sexe masculin et âgé entre 20 et 39 ans, a été mis au jour. L’individu présente une large fracture circulaire témoignant d’un traumatisme crânien provoqué par un objet contondant sur le côté supéro-droit de la tête. Sa présence invite à s’interroger sur les considérations qui ont motivé un tel traitement du cadavre dans une fosse que l’on peut qualifier de dépotoir, alors que les victimes de la bataille ont été regroupées dans des sépultures multiples ou individuelles. L’ensemble de ces vestiges nous permettent d’aborder des questions liées à la médecine de guerre et à la gestion des hôpitaux de campagne à l’époque napoléonienne. Pour résumer, notre communication se propose d’exposer les résultats préliminaires des fouilles à la ferme Mont-Saint-Jean, de présenter le projet de recherche interdisciplinaire qui s’est constitué autour de ces découvertes, et de synthétiser les découvertes de restes humains sur le champ de bataille de Waterloo.

La cécidomyie orange du blé est un important ravageur. Ce diptère est contrôlé naturellement par un complexe d’hyménoptères parasitoïdes. Pour faciliter l’étude de celui-ci, nous avons développé des outils moléculaires pour la détection et l'identification des sept espèces de parasitoïdes rencontrées en Belgique. Des séquences d'ADN des gènes COI, 18S et 28S ont été obtenues à partir de spécimens de référence. Sur la base du 18S, nous avons développé différents tests permettant la détection du parasitisme ou l’identification des espèces de parasitoïde. Ces outils moléculaires ont été appliqués avec succès pour évaluer le taux de parasitisme de larves issues de sept champs. Il s’avère que le taux de parasitisme varie entre 0 % et 33%. L’espèce dominante est Macroglenes penetrans, suivie de Platygaster tuberosula et Euxestonotus error conformément à la littérature. Grâce à cet outil, le suivi du parasitisme sera facilité afin d’améliorer la compréhension de ce contrôle biologique.

Pachacamac est un site précolombien majeur situé sur la côte centrale du Pérou. D'une superficie d'environ 6 km2, le site a été occupé pendant plus de mille ans avant la conquête espagnole au début du 16e siècle. En 2012, le projet Ychsma (ULB) a découvert une sépulture multiplede la Période Intermédiaire récente (900 à 1470 après JC) nommée Cx4, composée de deux chambres funéraires recouvertes d’un toit végétal, et contenant 89 défunts intacts ou fragmentaires ainsiqu’un abondant matériel funéraire . Plus de 60 % des individus sont des subadultes dont le sexe ne peut être attribué sur la seule base d'observations ostéologiques. L'analyse de l'ADN ancien (ADNa) peut être utile pour la détermination du sexe, la lignée mitochondriale générale (haplogroupe) et le diagnostic de maladies. A noter que la contamination non endogène du matériel archéologique par l'ADN est un problème récurrent, car les fouilles, la manipulation et le stockage ne répondent généralement pas aux critères recommandés pour l'analyse de l'ADN ancien. Nonobstant, nous présentons les résultats de l'ADNa de plusieurs individus humains récupérés dans le contexte Cx4. Nos objectifs sont de compléter les informations démographiques et de caractériser l'état de santé de la population enterrée dans ce lieu de pèlerinage dédié au dieu guérisseur éponyme, et ce en combinant bioarchéologie et archéologie moléculaire. Malgré une contamination humaine moderne importante et de faibles quantités d'ADN ancien endogène, nos résultats montrent que le sexe pourrait être attribué génétiquement dans >80% des cas, y compris les subadultes. L'identification du sexe des nourrissons, des enfants et des adolescents est cruciale pour bien comprendre ce contexte complexe et son recrutement funéraire, et pour effectuer une analyse intégrée et holistique de toutes les données associées. Les données ont également été utilisées pour estimer la présence d’ADNa de plusieurs agents pathogènes à l'aide de l'outil de classification taxonomique KrakenUniq.

Pachacamac is a major precolumbian site located on Peru’s Central Coast. Covering approximately 6 km2, the site was occupied for over a thousand years before the Spanish conquest in the early sixteenth century. In 2012, the Ychsma Project discovered a unique Late Intermediate period (AD 900–1470) multiple burial (“Cx4”) made of two funerary chambers with a vegetal roof structure, containing over 110 intact and fragmentary deceased together with numerous grave goods. More than 60% of the individuals are subadults whose sex cannot be assigned using osteological observation. Among the adults, 23 females and 20 males were identified, and the sex of the remaining four individuals couldn’t be assigned with certainty. We aim to fully understand the sociobiology of the Cx4 population, including biological sex, using a combined bioarchaeology and molecular archaeology approach. Despite significant human modern contamination and low amounts of endogenous ancient DNA, our results show that sex could be assigned genetically in >70% of the cases, including subadults. Sex identification of infants, children and adolescents is crucial to fully understand this complex context and its funerary recruitment, and to perform an integrated and holistic analysis of all associated data.