Composition of trace residues from the contents of 11th-12th century sphero-conical vessels from Jerusalem.

The residues from the internal surface of four archaeological ceramic sherds, excavated from the Armenian Gardens, Jerusalem were analysed to characterise the contents of the original vessel. The sherds derive from four small, thick-walled, sphero-conical vessels recovered from a destruction layer, dating between the 11th and 12th century, Jerusalem. The residue has been analysed using light microscopy, biochemical characterisation, gas chromatography mass spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

Molecular exploration of the first-century Tomb of the Shroud in Akeldama, Jerusalem.

The Tomb of the Shroud is a first-century C.E. tomb discovered in Akeldama, Jerusalem, Israel that had been illegally entered and looted.

Technical note: removal of metal ion inhibition encountered during DNA extraction and amplification of copper-preserved archaeological bone using size exclusion chromatography.

A novel technique for the removal of metal ions inhibiting DNA extraction and PCR of archaeological bone extracts is presented using size exclusion chromatography. Two case studies, involving copper inhibition, demonstrate the effective removal of metal ion inhibition. Light microscopy, SEM, elemental analysis, and genetic analysis were used to demonstrate the effective removal of metal ions from samples that previously exhibited molecular inhibition.

Attempts to revive Mycobacterium tuberculosis from 300-year-old human mummies.

Environmental persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is subject to speculation. However, the reality that infected postmortem tissues can be a danger to pathologists and embalmers has worrisome implications. A few experimental studies have demonstrated the organism's ability to withstand exposure to embalming fluid and formalin.

Co-infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae in human archaeological samples: a possible explanation for the historical decline of leprosy.

Both leprosy and tuberculosis were prevalent in Europe during the first millennium but thereafter leprosy declined. It is not known why this occurred, but one suggestion is that cross-immunity protected tuberculosis patients from leprosy. To investigate any relationship between the two diseases, selected archaeological samples, dating from the Roman period to the thirteenth century, were examined for both Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA, using PCR.

Tuberculosis: from prehistory to Robert Koch, as revealed by ancient DNA.

During the past 10 years palaeomicrobiology, a new scientific discipline, has developed. The study of ancient pathogens by direct detection of their DNA has answered several historical questions and shown changes to pathogens over time. However, ancient DNA (aDNA) continues to be controversial and great care is needed to provide valid data.

The impact of "ancient pathogen" studies on the practice of public health.

A new field of "ancient pathogens" is making an impact on our concepts of the evolution of infectious diseases, and it will eventually alter the practice of public health in their control. It has begun to answer important questions regarding past epidemics of influenza and tuberculosis by recovering the genetic sequences of the ancient causative agents. Vaccination strategics will have to study these microbial variants in order to develop tomorrow's vaccines.