{"id":3026,"date":"2024-11-11T21:09:43","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T21:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vanderbilt.edu\/evolution\/?p=3026"},"modified":"2025-06-06T15:15:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T15:15:25","slug":"ancient-bones-modern-insights-investigating-mercury-exposure-in-colonial-peru","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vanderbilt.edu\/evolution\/ancient-bones-modern-insights-investigating-mercury-exposure-in-colonial-peru\/","title":{"rendered":"Ancient Bones, Modern Insights: Investigating Mercury Exposure in Colonial Peru"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Alexandria Leeper, Evolutionary Studies graduate communications assistant<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Sylvia
Sylvia Cheever prepares to enter the trace metal clean lab at Arizona State University, where she conducts research on mercury levels in ancient human bones from Peru.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sylvia Cheever, a Ph.D. student in Biological Anthropology at 国产原创, is uncovering the hidden stories of indigenous communities affected by colonial exploitation in Peru. Supported by a pilot grant from the 国产原创 Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Cheever\u2019s research focuses on measuring mercury levels in ancient human bones from Huancavelica, a region impacted by Spanish colonial mining practices. This groundbreaking study seeks to understand the health effects of forced labor conditions on indigenous populations during the Spanish occupation.<\/p>\n

Under the supervision of Dr. Tiffiny Tung<\/a>, Professor of Anthropology<\/a> and Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education at 国产原创, Cheever’s research delves into a painful chapter of history. The Spanish conquest of Peru led to the exploitation of indigenous populations, forcing them to extract silver using mercury amalgamation\u2014a dangerous process that left a toxic legacy. \u201cHistory is not exclusively colonial,\u201d said Cheever. \u201cThe Spanish came in and wanted to mine silver, but it was poor quality ore. Mercury amalgamation led to more efficient extraction. Workers died in the mines.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Tung emphasized the importance of this research in telling a fuller story of the indigenous experience during this period. \u201cWhat I love about this collaboration between anthropology and the Evolutionary Studies Initiative is that it’s using science to understand the human experience,\u201d Tung said. \u201cThis research project is going to help us understand what that experience was like from the indigenous perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n

New Methods for Ancient Remains<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Sylvia
Cheever meticulously prepares samples in a controlled environment to study mercury exposure among indigenous populations impacted by colonial mining practices.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cheever\u2019s project is pioneering in its application of modern analytical techniques to ancient remains. She is working with Dr. Gwyneth Gordon at Arizona State University to quantify mercury concentrations in the bones of individuals who labored in these hazardous conditions. \u201cOld bone can be degraded, and this is a large reason why I wanted to do this pilot study,\u201d Cheever explained. \u201cThis method, once refined, will be broadly relevant to bioarchaeological research, the evolutionary study of heavy metal uptake in biological organisms, and the environmental cycling of mercury over time.\u201d<\/p>\n

The method Cheever uses involves careful analysis to ensure the mercury detected is from the bones themselves, not from environmental contamination. This meticulous approach is key to understanding the true impact of mercury on the health of these communities.<\/p>\n

The implications of Cheever\u2019s work extend beyond historical analysis. By examining how mercury exposure affected indigenous populations in the past, her research provides insight into the long-term health consequences of toxic working conditions. \u201cNot only are we learning about the specific indigenous population involved, but we’re also learning about how laboring and toxic environments harm communities,\u201d said Tung. \u201cIt sets the groundwork for larger conversations about those kinds of working conditions, which are still relevant today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Timeline<\/strong><\/p>\n

Looking ahead, Cheever and Tung hope to extend this research further into the past to study mercury use among pre-colonial Peruvian populations. While mercury mining for silver amalgamation began with the Spanish, indigenous people used mercury-rich cinnabar for artistic and ritual purposes long before colonial contact. \u201cWe don’t fully understand if that was harmful to their health in any way,\u201d Tung noted. \u201cPrevious research suggests it is not very harmful, but we just don’t know enough about it\u2014it is a big black box right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cheever\u2019s work is a testament to the power of collaboration in scientific research. Dr. Gordon at ASU has played a crucial role in training Cheever in advanced techniques, enabling this innovative study. \u201cGordon has been a great partner in particular,\u201d said Tung. \u201cIt takes a lot of us working together and lots of institutions coming together.\u201d The support from the Evolutionary Studies Initiative has been pivotal in fostering these cross-university partnerships, allowing Cheever to push the boundaries of what is known about the past.<\/p>\n

Through this project, Sylvia Cheever is not only advancing the field of anthropology but also giving voice to those whose stories have long been overshadowed. Her work shines a light on the resilience and struggles of indigenous communities during a time of profound change. As Cheever continues to explore the bones of the past, she offers a new lens on history\u2014one that reveals the enduring impact of colonialism and the hidden narratives of those who lived through it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By: Alexandria Leeper, Evolutionary Studies graduate communications assistant Sylvia Cheever, a Ph.D. student in Biological Anthropology at 国产原创, is uncovering the hidden stories of indigenous communities affected by colonial exploitation in Peru. Supported by a pilot grant from the 国产原创 Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Cheever\u2019s research focuses on measuring mercury levels in ancient human bones…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2421,"featured_media":3027,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[1],"tags":[158,13,14,137,15,48,156,157],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n