The Virtual Database of the Documented Human Osteological Collection (DHOC) of the Certosa Cemetery of Bologna (Italy, 19th–20th Century)

Abstract

This article aims to introduce a new virtual database of skeletal human remains from the Documented Human Osteological Collection (DHOC) of the Certosa Cemetery of Bologna (Emilia Romagna, northern Italy) housed at the University of Bologna. The Virtual DHOC of the Certosa Cemetery of Bologna (VirtualDHOC) is stored in the publicly accessible 3D data repository MorphoSource, and consists of 3D models or micro-Computer Tomography scans of skeletal elements of a subsample of the 425 individuals. These skeletons, mostly complete and well-preserved, pertain to individuals of different ages, ranging from fetuses/newborns to 91 years old, for which the sex is known, who died in the city of Bologna between 1898 and 1944. This collection represents an important scientific resource for the study of human skeletal remains and to test methods and techniques in the field of bioarchaeology, forensics, and paleoanthropology. The digitization of a comprehensive database of 3D scans and 3D bones is an ongoing project that will implement the Virtual DHOC of the Certosa Cemetery of Bologna over the next few years. The Virtual DHOC of the Certosa Cemetery of Bologna aims to share the data contained therein with other researchers, contributing to the dissemination of knowledge and the promotion of scientific research in anthropology, while also ensuring the virtual preservation and accessibility of this collection for future generations. This simultaneously responds to various ethical concerns and best practices about the treatment and management of human skeletal remains.