Educational projects

– Science and Technology Week activities

The Holy Bodies organised a workshop as part of the Science and Technology Week activities, an initiative of Ciência Viva: ciência e ‘corpi santi‘: um olhar ampliado – at the HERCULES Laboratory (University of Évora).

In this activity, participants were able to watch a short documentary about the corpi santi and the Holy Bodies project. Following this, they examined samples of these corpi santi (e.g., fragments of their structure, decorative elements, and textiles) using digital microscopy and explored other analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, which allows for the study of details of the topology and morphology of the samples as well as conducting chemical analyses. A demonstration activity of 3D scanning was also carried out.

– Ciência Viva no Laboratório 2024

From July 8th to 12th, high school students participated in the Ciência Viva in the Laboratory initiative, “Holy Bodies | Relics Seen Through the Eyes of Scientists“ hosted at the HERCULES Laboratory of the University of Évora.

The program offered a diverse range of activities, including visits to simulacra of corpi santi—bone relics of martyrs from the Roman catacombs—accompanied by an exploration of their art historical context. Students engaged in osteological analysis, laboratory-based chemical and morphological studies of materials associated with relics (such as textiles, paper, and beads), and paleographic analysis during a visit to the Public Library of Évora. The week also included a visit to the Convent of Remédios, which houses an extensive collection of relics, where students applied 3D scanning technology as a tool for artefact preservation and dissemination.

António, Diana, Gil, and Miguel, secondary school students from various parts of the country, immersed themselves in this holistic, hands-on experience. Over the course of the week, they gained insight into biological anthropology, learned the basics of paleography, prepared samples, and worked with specialised laboratory equipment. Additionally, they visited simulacra in Lisbon and experimented with advanced 3D digitisation techniques applied to reliquaries.

We all had a great time! Special thanks to the Holy Bodies team!

– Ciência Viva no Laboratório 2023

From July 10th to 14th, three undergraduate students enrolled in our HB Ciência Viva 2023 edition. These students had the chance to conduct analytical analysis with samples collected from the corpi santi under study within this project using different techniques, such as IR and Raman spectroscopy, digital microscopy and X-Ray fluorescence. Moreover, an approach of 3D digital scanning was performed in reliquaries.

It was a week full of science!