The Basel Hospital Cemetery Project, at the interface between the natural sciences and the humanities, is researching a series of over 500 identified skeletons (or parts thereof) and over 900 associated medical records.

The project pursues two ambitious goals: The exceptional database of identified skeletons, medical histories and genealogical research allows the validity of scientific methods - such as birth rates based on dental cementum anomalies - to be tested and new methods to be developed. On the other hand, the human skeletons are a bioarchive from which insights can be gained into health and nutritional conditions, the spread of diseases and the living conditions of the urban underclass in the transition to industrial society.

The project includes a citizen research project of the same name, which transcribes extensive data series such as medical records, carries out retrospective disease diagnoses, records hospital data or census documents and conducts genealogical research.

The top priority when conducting research on skeletons is to treat human remains with respect, in the knowledge that behind every skeleton is a person with their own personality. The research has clearly defined objectives. Last but not least, they give a voice to the deceased - mostly less privileged women and men who have left no personal degree transcripts.