#Archaeology is a driver of scientific innovation. Rather than being a perceived financial burden, it is actually a high-value investment that can improve human health and environmental sustainability.
We can use ancient #genomes to understand the genetic origins of diseases like MS or the evolution of the plague to develop new treatments.
Sequencing ancient plant #DNA to identify crop varieties that survived extreme heat or drought in the past, can help secure future food supplies.
Tracking how #diseases jump from animals to humans (zoonosis) to predict and prevent future #pandemics is critical to #publichealth.
Physical artifacts can be used to improve life satisfaction for hospital patients and those living with hashtag#dementia.
Archaeological #archives are a treasure-house of hashtag#biological and #environmental data that cannot be replicated in a lab. These materials provide a unique natural experiment that can play their part in solving modern global crises.
See the recent article in issue 71
Barney Sloane 2026 'Legacy and Springboard: The Untapped Potential of Archaeological Archives for Scientific Innovation', Internet Archaeology 72. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.72.11