Involving a new generation in the production of knowledge on their own historical background using a protein-based approach on archaeological material

In Denmark, newly excavated archaeological material is every year discarded, as museums do not have the budget to store, conserve and study it all. Next Generation Lab turns large and hitherto unstudied urban assemblages of archaeological leather and bone into a laboratory learning experience for high school students. Through a one day visit to the new teaching lab, the students hands-on experience a cross disciplinary research process, career paths and role models. They perform a new protein-based species identification method on original material and thus increase knowledge on their own historical background while the archaeological remains regain historical value.The granted laboratory robot will help ensure a swift workflow and processing of more samples in the Next Generation Lab.