DNA forensics is transforming studies of ancient manuscripts
2 days ago
- #Medieval Manuscripts
- #Non-destructive Analysis
- #Biocodicology
- Tim Stinson's 2006 trip to England sparked interest in extracting biological data from medieval parchments without damage.
- Advancements in non-destructive sampling and genomics led to biocodicology, merging molecular biology with book study.
- Biocodicology reveals historical trade, animal husbandry, climate, and epidemics through parchment analysis.
- Sarah Fiddyment developed eZooMS using eraser crumbs, enabling species identification without harming manuscripts.
- Non-destructive methods like cytology brushes extract DNA, revealing animal sources and historical practices.
- Biocodicology applications include detecting pathogens, reconstructing climate data, and understanding manuscript handling.
- European funding supports biocodicology, while U.S. researchers face challenges, but the field's potential is vast due to extensive parchment archives.