Anatomical Collection of Domestic Animals

Aim of the project

2023 to 2025, the Anatomical Collection of Domestic Animals ASH will be catalogued, inventoried, digitised and made accessible for research, teaching and the public. The recording of selected objects will enable visually detailed cataloguing and at the same time lay the foundation for further projects and uses. The collection will be digitally published and archived via the Nahima database to enable web-based management.

Description of the project

The collection comprises approximately 2000 two- and three-dimensional objects made of various materials that vividly convey knowledge about anatomy and physiology and are used in university teaching. In addition, the collection includes medical and agricultural equipment and instruments. All collection objects are inventoried according to current standards and digitally recorded in the Nahima database. Detailed photographs are taken and added to the database. GIFs and, in some cases, 3D models are also created for selected objects. Thanks to a system specially designed for the collection, the objects in the database can be filtered in a targeted manner and efficiently searched according to the needs of the users.

Synergies and context

With the cataloguing and digitisation of the anatomical collection of domestic animals, this protected cultural asset is made accessible and digitally preserved at the same time. With the use of the web-based Nahima database of the ETH Library, a tool created for natural science collections is used, which enables the transfer of knowledge to students, the scientific community and the public in a uniform web presence.