Exhibition animal skeletons

A temporary exhibition of animal skeletons has been set up in the Heemhuis of local history society Barthold van Heessel in Aarle-Rixtel.

Aarle-Rixtel resident Theo de Jong has been collecting the remains of dead animals since he was young. Over the years, many shanks, skulls and skeletons have been included in the collection.

Because of his hobby, Theo studied biology in Tilburg and specialised in researching archaeological animal remains. He then graduated as an archaeologist in Leiden and has been working as Helmond's city archaeologist ever since. Most of the collection is housed at the Erfgoedhuis in Eindhoven. Here, archaeologists and volunteers work together to process soil finds from the Helmond and Eindhoven region. The collection of contemporary animal skeletons is used by archaeozoologists and archaeology students to recognise excavated bone remains. 

But skeletons also belong to animals and each animal has its own and sometimes very special life story or end of life. In addition, it is special to be able to take a closer look at the insides and recognise the differences and similarities in local animals. A selection of the most beautiful and unusual skeletons is now on display in Aarle-Rixtel. The exhibition can be seen every Sunday afternoon in May at the Heemhuis.