ABSTRACT

The unearthing of two Iron Age bog bodies in the Irish midlands within a few months of each other in 2003 prompted the development of new strategies for recording, investigating, preserving and displaying bog body finds. As a consequence of these discoveries, this period also saw the development of the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) Bog Body Tissue Samples Bank, which holds a considerable number of human tissue samples as well as samples of gut contents and associated botanic remains. The core aim of the repository is the retention and long-term preservation of these samples, both as a scientific resource and for purposes of knowledge creation. This paper outlines the raison d’être of the bank and the multiple reasons behind its establishment. It also reflects on current best practice for sample selection, storage and access, as well as exploring how sampling strategies and systems could be improved for future discoveries.

摘要

2003年，在爱尔兰中部地区，两个铁器时代的沼泽尸体相继出土，这促使人们开发了记录，调查，保存和展示尸体发现物的新策略。由于这些发现，这一时期还见证了爱尔兰国家博物馆（NMI）沼泽人体组织样本库的发展，该银行拥有相当数量的人体组织样本以及肠道内容物和相关的植物残骸样本。储存库的核心目标是保留和长期保存这些样本，既可以作为科学资源，又可以作为知识创造的目的。本文概述了存在的理由银行及其成立背后的多种原因。它还反映了有关样本选择，存储和访问的当前最佳实践，并探讨了如何为将来的发现改进采样策略和系统。