The exhibit, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), English Heritage, with additional support from Shimadzu UK Ltd, is located in the Wellcome Trust Lecture Hall, University of Bristol.

Visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to interpret the past by ancient identifying molecules found in different artefacts and sediment. The second activity, an interactive computer game, will enable people of all ages to become a Paleodetective. Participants will be asked to choose from one of eight cases including the case of the Blackened Egyptian mummy. The black colour is due a black substance applied to the skin, bandages and other funerary objects. The Palaeodetective will have to find out what the black substances found on the mummy is made of by reviewing the evidence, completing the profile and solving the mystery.

The collaborative group for the exhibit include: Professor Richard Evershed, Drs Fiona Gill, Rich Pancost and Ian Bull from the University’s School of Chemistry.

Another exhibit called ‘The Chewing Robot’, developed by researchers at the University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with the Department of Oral and Dental Science, is a new biologically inspired way to study dental wear formation on human teeth and is also being showcased at the Exhibition.

The exhibits have been developed with the support of the University’s Centre for Public Engagement, which encourages the University’s academics to engage with the public.

physorg.com