Science Then and Now
Thavalapan researches the interconnectedness of humans, the material world, and technology in ancient Iraq
(c. 2000-330 BCE). Thavapalan states: "We have various sources regarding how people in Mesopotamia conceptualized their environment and the things in it, such as stones, metals, and plants. And how they developed crafts or medicines based on this knowledge, building expertise in different branches of science. Until recently, we have tended to interpret these sources through our modern frameworks, which separate humans and nature.”
She continues: “In ancient Mesopotamia, that separation was not so clear. However, they were indeed engaged in science, just not under the same conditions or with the same objectives. Should we dismiss all of that? Or can we reflect on how people in the past explored the material world in their own terms and try to understand the social norms and systems of knowledge that shaped their science? That is what my project aims to do.”
Interdisciplinary
Thavalapan would ideally travel to Iraq, where a vast amount of unknown source material awaits, and collaborate with colleagues there. Unfortunately, this is not currently possible, but there is still plenty to do outside Iraq. “We first need to collate data that is currently fragmentary and scattered and make it accessible. Only then can we begin with historical contextualization. The research is interdisciplinary, which means that philologists, archaeologists, and art historians will work together, allowing us to ask entirely new questions of our sources”
Exciting reconstruction
Part of the project involves collaboration with Prof. Maarten van Bommel’s conservation lab at University of Amsterdam (UvA). Thavalapan explains: “There are many Akkadian technical recipes, such as those for making different colored glasses or perfumes, which can tell us a lot about how craftspeople experimented with materials to understand their properties. From this collection, a few recipes will be selected for experimental reconstruction. This will be the most exciting part for me. No one has made glass in this way for thousands of years. It creates a beautiful connection with people from the past that I want to explore.”
NWO Talent Programme
The NWO Talent Programme gives researchers the freedom to conduct their own research driven by creativity and passion. The programme encourages innovation and curiosity. Independent research contributes to and prepares us for the society of tomorrow. Therefore, NWO focuses on a diversity of scientists, disciplines, and backgrounds. Vidi, along with the Veni and Vici grants, is part of the NWO Talent Programme. Researchers receive up to €850,000.
NWO selects researchers based on the scientific quality and innovative character of the research proposal, the scientific and/or societal impact of the proposed project, and the quality of the researcher.
Read more about the other VU laureates