Lecture by Professor Matthew Collins (University of Cambridge)

On Thursday 14 November Matthew Collins, McDonald Professor in Palaeoproteomics at the University of Cambridge, will give a public lecture entitled "Reading Old Manuscripts as a Biologist and Archaeologist" at the Université libre de Bruxelles. He will be welcomed by Dr Alicia Van Ham-Meert (CReA-Patrimoine) and Professor Kristin Bartik. The lecture will be followed by a reception.

Professor Matthew Collins conducts research on the persistence of proteins in ancient samples, using modelling to explore the racemization of amino acids and thermal history to predict the survival of DNA and other molecules. Using a combination of approaches (including immunology and protein mass spectrometry), his research detects and interprets protein remnants in archaeological and fossil remains. With former PhD student Dr Mike Buckley, he developed ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry), a way to rapidly identify bone and other collagen based materials using peptide mass fingerprinting.

This event is organised by the Fondation Philippe Wiener-Maurice Anspach in collaboration with the CReA-Patrimoine - Research Centre in Archaeology and Heritage, ULB. It is part of the Philippe Wiener Lectures series.

Abstract

The unifying principle for biologists is the theory of evolution by descent, first articulated by Charles Darwin. According to this theory, copying errors in DNA are subject to natural selection, shaping future generations. A similar approach is employed in manuscript studies, such as in the analysis of biblical texts, where copying / translation errors—like whether Moses is depicted with horns —allow scholars to trace the dissemination of ideas across time and geography.

When writing on parchment made from animal skins, these two processes converge. The written text communicates one message, but the biological material of the parchment itself carries another—the life history of the animals whose skins were used. Through genetics, we can trace the relationships among these animals and link documents written on parchment across centuries. The proteins and lipids speak to age, health and climate. This concept underpins the emerging field of bio-codicology, which studies books as material culture, focusing on the biological origins of the animals whose skins became the medium for human ideas.

In this lecture, we will examine manuscripts from the perspective of a biologist, not as historians or conservators. We will explore how biology can offer valuable insights into manuscript studies, but we will also recognise that fully understanding the story of manuscripts and manuscript culture requires interdisciplinary collaboration. Only by working together across disciplines can we piece together a unified and comprehensive picture of these remarkable cultural artefacts.

This lecture will take place at 6.30 pm at the Université libre de Bruxelles (Campus du Solbosch) in room DC2.206, building D, ground floor (30 Avenue Antoine Depage - see map below or follow this link).

The event is free but registration is required via this page by Sunday 10 November. After this date you can contact us at [email protected].

Host or Publisher Fondation Philippe Wiener - Maurice Anspach