Archaeological finds and human remains have reached us as witnesses of the past. Through the dialogue between archaeology and the natural sciences, we can better understand both the world of ancient production - the techniques of artisans, the resources, and the environments from which materials originated - and the lives of the people who inhabited those societies.
During this session hosted by the Museo Egizio, researchers in chemistry, geology, botany, and physical anthropology will demonstrate how scientific analysis allows us to "question" matter, opening new perspectives on the history of ancient technologies, environments, and societies. Through these materials, ancient landscapes re-emerge - forests, quarries, and vanished seas - helping us understand how Earth’s environments were formed and how our planet continues to transform over time.
However, these lines of research also raise questions concerning the present: from the ethical responsibilities involved in studying human remains to the surprising legacy of ancient knowledge and technologies that continue to inform contemporary research.
Science applied to cultural heritage thus becomes a space for critical reflection, where diverse disciplines meet to better understand not only our past but also the complexity of our own time.
Speakers: Alan Crivellaro, Wood Technologist - UniTo; Alessandro Borghi, Geologist - UniTo; Marco Nicola, Chemist - UniTo; Alice Paladin, Senior Researcher - EURAC Bolzano.
Via Accademia delle Scienze 6, Torino