Interact with our teams

  • Object assessments
  • Identification of African animals
  • Identification and dating of wood from around the world
  • Identification of organisms of policy concern

For ethical reasons, no indication will be given as to the market value of such objects, and no opinion will be expressed as regards their authenticity.

Assessments are generally free of charge and by appointment.

Ethnographic objects from sub-Saharan Africa

Requests for the expert assessment of ethnographic objects must be sent - with a picture - by email to the following address: julien.volper@africamuseum.be 
PLEASE NOTE: It may take up to 3 weeks for such requests to be processed.

Julien Volper

Archaeological objects from sub-Saharan Africa

Requests for the expert assessment of archaeological objects must be sent - with a picture - by email to the following address: herit@africamuseum.be

African musical instruments

Every first Wednesday of every month.

Rémy Jadinon
remy.jadinon@africamuseum.be
+32 2 769 56 10

Geology and mineral resources from Rwanda, Burundi and the DR Congo

On request and in exchange for payment, assessments and consultancy services can be provided concerning the geological context of minerals and rocks, based on the information in our archives.

Florias Mees
florias.mees@africamuseum.be
+32 2 769 57 42

Natural hazards in Central Africa

We carry out assessments and consultancy work concerning:

Mapping and map updates in Central Africa

Mohamed Laghmouch
mohamed.laghmouch@africamuseum.be
+32 2 769 54 50

Animals from Africa

Vertebrates

Insects 

Non-insect invertebrates

Diplopoda, Crustacea, marine organisms, Arachnomorpha, vermes, Acari:
Didier Van den Spiegel
didier.van.den.spiegel@africamuseum.be
+32 2 769 54 11

Organisms of policy concern

BopCo: species identification services 

BopCo is a species identification service that provides access to expertise and infrastructure necessary to identify specimens, tissues or derived products of organisms of policy concern. These include, but are not restricted to:

  • Endangered & protected species (e.g. CITES, IUCN)
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • (Agricultural) pest species
  • Human/veterinary disease and parasite vectors
  • Species of forensic interest

  • Species from the human food chain 

    BopCo applies an integrative approach, involving morphology and DNA analyses, to identify biological samples, and to assess genetic relatedness or kinship. To this end, BopCo has access to fully equipped molecular laboratories, reference collections, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Micro-CT-scanners, located at both the AfricaMuseum and the Institute of Natural Sciences.

    BopCo’s identification service is available to anyone requiring identification of biological materials of policy concern. Depending on the nature of an identification request, charges may be implemented.

    More information and contact details can be found on the BopCo website or in the BopCo flyer.  

    Contact:

    bopco@naturalsciences.be

    Nathalie Smitz 

    Kurt Jordaens

Wood

We offer independent expertise services of wood species worldwide through the expertise centre ENFORCE:

  • identification of wood for the wood trade and industry, art history, archaeology, palaeontology, etc. This includes plywoods, particleboards, MDF, charcoal, etc.
  • wood dating via the study of growth rings.
  • wood origin detection

More information, cost and contact details can be found on the website of ENFORCE: https://enforce.africamuseum.be
 
Contact:
enforce@africamuseum.be
Michael Monnoye (https://www.africamuseum.be/nl/staff/2049)
Hans Beeckman (https://www.africamuseum.be/nl/staff/360)