Biocodicology

This talk will offer an overview of the emerging field of biocodicology, or the study of books via the biological information stored in them. While ancient and medieval manuscripts have long been prized as repositories of textual, artistic, and historical information, humanists, scientists, and librarians are also increasingly aware of the potential of their significant stores of biological information. This includes genetic traces left through both human contact and faunal remains (e.g., parchment leaves, hide glue, leather bindings), proteins (e.g., collagen, egg white glaze), and microbiomes. This lecture will cover the history of the field and both the promises that it holds and the challenges faced as this area of study emerges.