CHEM 130 The Science of History
Advancements in scientific analysis of ancient samples expand our understanding of ancient people and their societies. Chemical isotopes, analysis of ancient DNA, and other methods allow us to construct a biohistory of ancient people. What did a person eat? Where did he migrate from? What diseases did he have over his life? These techniques can help us answer these questions and many others. On a broader scale, analysis of DNA can reveal the dynamics and interactions of people from different geographical areas. In this course, intended for non-science majors, we will explore the scientific foundations for techniques used to study ancient people and their societies. We will also explore the science of pathogens that caused historical outbreaks and the modern approaches for the development of drugs to combat them. We will learn how reports by health practitioners of these times contributed to modern medicine's ability to identify the pathogens. For each case, we will discuss the biochemical mechanism of the disease and the development of its modern treatments. We will explore case studies specific to Rome, learning how these scientific advances complement conventional archaeological approaches for understanding ancient people and their societies.