The discovery of a dissected skeleton in Aalst has sparked intrigue among Belgian researchers and historians. Physical anthropologist Liesbeth Massagé analyzed the saw marks and concluded that an experienced surgeon or doctor conducted the dissection, a rare finding in Flanders. This discovery, reported on 2025-05-21 17:46:00, reveals insights into medical practices in a region without known medical schools at the time.
- Identifies experienced surgeon from saw marks
- Notes absence of hesitation marks indicating skill
- Highlights rarity of similar Flemish findings
- Questions origin of dissection in Aalst
- Suggests link to Onze-Lieve-Vrouwehospitaal
- Describes typical 18th-19th century dissection subjects
Such evidence of skilled anatomical work is almost unheard of in Flemish archaeological contexts. The fact that this skeleton was found in Aalst raises questions about who performed the dissection and where it took place, especially since Aalst lacked formal medical training institutions in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Could there be an unexpected connection to the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwehospitaal, now the city museum? Understanding this link may shed light on local medical history and practices surrounding dissections of unclaimed bodies.
Why was this rare dissection carried out in a city without a medical school? The lack of hesitation marks suggests a skilled hand, prompting speculation about medical education and practice in Aalst at the time. This discovery challenges assumptions about local medical history and prompts further investigation.
- Dissections were commonly performed on unclaimed bodies or executed criminals.
- The saw marks indicate multiple anatomical preparations, possibly for teaching.
- Aalst’s lack of formal medical schools contrasts with evidence of advanced dissection skills.
- The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwehospitaal may have played a central role in these practices.
As research continues, Belgian scholars and the public alike should stay tuned for new revelations about the origins of medical training in Aalst. Could this discovery rewrite parts of Flemish medical history? The answers may soon emerge from the archives and archaeological sites alike.
