MAMA – MApping the Mobility of our Ancestors

The last decade has seen a significant increase in the number of isotopic studies of animal and human remains to reconstruct mobility patterns of modern animal populations or those of our ancestors. This trend generates a growing amount of isotopic data produced by research projects carried out in a growing amount of labs all around the world, including for a fair share at the VUB. It is crucial that this data is managed, properly interpreted and made open-access in the best possible way. Here, the aim is twofold: (1) create spatial modelling tools to better interpret the isotopic data obtained in terms of mobility and landscape use, and (2) further develop the open-access on-line database IsoArcH (https://isoarch.eu/) to increase the visibility of the research carried out at the VUB and enable comparison with data produced all around the world. Particular attention is placed on the interface of this database to ensure not only academics can use it but also any other interested person, including children.