Research Projects at the Department of Anthropology, University of Vienna

As inventories from Rudolf Pöch’s anthropological collection are being processed and digitised, we aim to focus our research on the origins of human remains, their scientific exploitation as well as their presentation in a museum context.

From a scientific historical perspective, it seems interesting to address some of the main themes in Pöch’s work: in particular, his early genetic approach and its discussion against the backdrop of colonial, social and military policies. For this purpose, we aim to abandon the anonymity of individual objects of study in favour of a discussion on the adequate treatment of the preserved material.

Moreover, the digital consolidation of objects with their photographic and written documentation is aimed to shed light on cultural developments and changes taking place in certain regions from a historical environmental perspective.

Staff:
Ao.Univ.-Prof.Dr. Harald Wilfing
MMag. Katarina Matiasek
Mag.Dr. Markus Bernhard
Susanne Schmehl