Molecular archaeoparasitology as a novel tool for the study of trading and migration networks through history
This project represents the first comprehensive study applying molecular and genetic methods to study historical contexts such as migration and trade based on human parasites. Using specially developed techniques, the study focused on parasites with minor symptoms which allowed the infected person to go about their daily business. The combination of state of the art techniques in archaeology, molecular methods and phylogenetic analysis enabled us to develop a novel powerful tool to study historic events. Diseases have a considerable impact on societies. Various publications indicate that human intestinal parasites are commonly found in a variety of archaeological contexts, including latrines, graves and mummies. These parasites can be detected by microscopy which focuses the work on samples which do close association to humans; widespread prevalence and the possibility for reliable microscopic diagnostics suggest that these parasites are an attractive study system for human activities. Infectious diseases have a much short generation time which offers greater opportunity to track historical events at higher resolution. Looking at a range of human parasites, their different life-cycles allowed insight into
Flammer, Patrik Guido
Commerce--History--To 500 ; Archaeometry ; Molecular parasitology ; Phylogeny ; Diseases--History--To 1500 ; Parasites--Ecology ; Human remains (Archaeology)
Molecular archaeoparasitology as a novel tool for the study of trading and migration networks through history. This project represents the first comprehensive study applying molecular and genetic methods to study historical contexts such as migration and trade based on human parasites. Using specially developed techniques, the study focused on parasites with minor symptoms which allowed the infected person to go about their daily business. The combination of state of the art techniques in archaeology, molecular methods and phylogenetic analysis enabled us to develop a novel powerful tool to study historic events. Diseases have a considerable impact on societies. Various publications indicate that human intestinal parasites are commonly found in a variety of archaeological contexts, including latrines, graves and mummies. These parasites can be detected by microscopy which focuses the work on samples which do close association to humans; widespread prevalence and the possibility for reliable microscopic diagnostics suggest that these parasites are an attractive study system for human activities. Infectious diseases have a much short generation time which offers greater opportunity to track historical events at higher resolution. Looking at a range of human parasites, their different life-cycles allowed insight into
molecular novel tool study trading migration network history project represent first comprehensive study applying molecular genetic method study historical_context migration trade base human using specially develop technique study_focus minor symptom allow person daily business combination state_art technique archaeology molecular method phylogenetic analysis enable develop_novel powerful_tool study historic event diseases considerable_impact society various publication indicate human commonly_find variety archaeological_context include graf mummy detect microscopy focus work sample close_association human widespread prevalence possibility reliable microscopic diagnostics suggest attractive study system human_activity infectious_disease much short generation time offer great opportunity track historical_event high_resolution looking range human different life allow_insight