Chemistry: Isotopes, Analysis & Unlocking The Past – The Chemistry of Archaeology with Dr Sam Leggett from The University of Edinburgh

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When we think of archaeology, we might imagine ancient ruins or dusty dig sites. But behind many discoveries lies cutting-edge science – and chemistry plays a key role. This session invites students to look beneath the surface and explore the chemical tools that help archaeologists uncover stories from the past.

Through real archaeological case studies, students will discover how isotopic and organic residues analysis reveal what people ate, how they cooked foods, and where they travelled. The session will explain how radiocarbon dating works, how isotopes and lipids are measured and interpreted, and how these techniques rely on core concepts in atomic structure and nuclear chemistry. We’ll also examine key analytical methods such as mass spectrometry and chromatography, highlighting how they are used to identify materials – from ancient residues in pottery to trace metals in human remains.

This session is designed to be interactive, encouraging students to ask questions and think critically about how chemistry can be used beyond the lab – in fields like archaeology, forensic science, and conservation.

Lecturer Profile: Dr Sam Leggett

Our events are designed so that a group of students can take part from a classroom or students and teachers can take part as individuals, either from school or from home. There is no charge to take part.

As a live, participative event, this session will not be recorded but slides and other resources will be shared after the event, where available.

Suitable for: Age 16+ pre-university Chemistry students. We also welcome students who are studying other subjects but are interested in Archaeology. Student groups as well as students and teachers joining individually are very welcome.

Preparation/Pre-Reading: Students may wish to consider the topic in advance and questions they have. Students can also think about questions related to studying at university level.

The IT Setup: The event will be run on Zoom and participants will be able to join using laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. If you are joining as a school group, we recommend connecting with one device and projecting on to a whiteboard. You will be able to interact with the speaker via typed comments and questions and/or via a microphone. Full details will be sent to those who have registered (see below) prior to the event.

Booking a Place: This is free for schools and colleges. If you would like to take part in this event, please register your interest using the link to the registration form below:

Register here