Tom Booth
@boothicus.bsky.social
Bioarchaeologist. Amateur Scarecrow.
Ancient DNA Lab @ The Francis Crick Institute
Associate Lecturer in Quantitative Archaeology and Later European Prehistory @ UCL Institute of Archaeology
Ancient DNA Lab @ The Francis Crick Institute
Associate Lecturer in Quantitative Archaeology and Later European Prehistory @ UCL Institute of Archaeology
Pinned
Tom Booth
@boothicus.bsky.social
· Sep 11
What Can Archaeology Tell Us About Prehistoric Migration in Scotland? - Dig It!
Migration has been a hot topic in archaeology since its beginnings. Antiquarians and archaeologists of the 19th and 20th centuries often interpreted changes in the archaeological record as representin...
www.digitscotland.com
I wrote something swift with Dig It! about ancient DNA, migration and genetic change in prehistoric Britain, and specifically how to interpret ‘population replacement.’ Hint: it is not synonymous with ‘invasion’.
www.digitscotland.com/what-can-arc...
www.digitscotland.com/what-can-arc...
Reposted by Tom Booth
Our paper on imputation of ancient goat genomes is now available at GBE - congratulations to @jolijnerven.bsky.social #aDNA
Inferring Domestic Goat Demographic History Through Ancient Genome Imputation
Abstract. Goats were among the earliest managed animals, making them a natural model to explore the genetic consequences of domestication. However, a chall
academic.oup.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Our paper on imputation of ancient goat genomes is now available at GBE - congratulations to @jolijnerven.bsky.social #aDNA
This is out now:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Association between lactase persistence and height in the past (indicating people with the persistence allele were better nourished by drinking milk than those without it) provides a potential explanation for why it was under strong selection.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Association between lactase persistence and height in the past (indicating people with the persistence allele were better nourished by drinking milk than those without it) provides a potential explanation for why it was under strong selection.
November 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
This is out now:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Association between lactase persistence and height in the past (indicating people with the persistence allele were better nourished by drinking milk than those without it) provides a potential explanation for why it was under strong selection.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Association between lactase persistence and height in the past (indicating people with the persistence allele were better nourished by drinking milk than those without it) provides a potential explanation for why it was under strong selection.
Reposted by Tom Booth
🏺 🧪 Research and publications like this really matter, since even when one theory is not supported by later evidence, it opens up interesting new perspectives and scenarios for #humanevolution.
Rather, in terms of metrics and morphology, it matches best to impact from a hammerstone, likely used to access the liquid within-bone nutrients such as marrow and bone grease.
November 10, 2025 at 1:52 PM
🏺 🧪 Research and publications like this really matter, since even when one theory is not supported by later evidence, it opens up interesting new perspectives and scenarios for #humanevolution.
Reposted by Tom Booth
Some pictures from when Sandi Toksvig and @rakshadigs.bsky.social came to visit our dig in July #Durotriges25
If you missed episode 1 of *Sandi Toksvig's Hidden Wonders*, you can still catch up at Channel 4 On Demand
www.channel4.com
The rest of the series continues on More4 Tues 9pm
Enjoy 😊
If you missed episode 1 of *Sandi Toksvig's Hidden Wonders*, you can still catch up at Channel 4 On Demand
www.channel4.com
The rest of the series continues on More4 Tues 9pm
Enjoy 😊
November 9, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Some pictures from when Sandi Toksvig and @rakshadigs.bsky.social came to visit our dig in July #Durotriges25
If you missed episode 1 of *Sandi Toksvig's Hidden Wonders*, you can still catch up at Channel 4 On Demand
www.channel4.com
The rest of the series continues on More4 Tues 9pm
Enjoy 😊
If you missed episode 1 of *Sandi Toksvig's Hidden Wonders*, you can still catch up at Channel 4 On Demand
www.channel4.com
The rest of the series continues on More4 Tues 9pm
Enjoy 😊
The inevitable splash of cold water…
That Roman database of roads that's been in the news: treat with some caution.
Comparaison entre ce qui est connu (en rouge) et les tracés du dataset (en vert) pour l'est de la Bourgogne. Les données mises a disposition sont sans doute meilleures dans les zones où des spécialiste ont été sollicité.e.s (Egypte, etc). Bonne base de départ donc, mais a utiliser avec prudence 3/3
November 9, 2025 at 6:24 PM
The inevitable splash of cold water…
Avoid jumping to conclusions about mechanisms behind large-scale genetic shifts in the past! This paper doesn’t prove that small scale migrations of Homo sapiens led to the gradual replacement of Neanderthal DNA but suggests this explanation is as good as any other.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A simple analytical model for Neanderthal disappearance due to genetic dilution by recurrent small-scale immigrations of modern humans - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - A simple analytical model for Neanderthal disappearance due to genetic dilution by recurrent small-scale immigrations of modern humans
www.nature.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Avoid jumping to conclusions about mechanisms behind large-scale genetic shifts in the past! This paper doesn’t prove that small scale migrations of Homo sapiens led to the gradual replacement of Neanderthal DNA but suggests this explanation is as good as any other.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Tom Booth
Free online talk on Constantine the African, and his adaption of the work of al-Majūsī, next Tuesday.
Reminder
𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐭' 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞!
csmbr.fondazionecomel.org/events/onlin...
#CSMBR #OnlineLectures #CompoundMedicamentes #ConstantinetheAphrican
𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐭' 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞!
csmbr.fondazionecomel.org/events/onlin...
#CSMBR #OnlineLectures #CompoundMedicamentes #ConstantinetheAphrican
The Science of Compound Medicaments - CSMBR
This lecture explores al-Majūsī’s "Kitāb al-Malakī" and its Latin translation, showing how Book X on compound medicaments was reshaped into a new synthesis of pharmacology and philosophy.
csmbr.fondazionecomel.org
November 8, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Free online talk on Constantine the African, and his adaption of the work of al-Majūsī, next Tuesday.
Reposted by Tom Booth
One of the many (silly, nonsensical) arguments that anti-repatriation folks have is that if we return all of the stolen artefacts, our museums would be empty.
Meanwhile, artefacts dug up by metal detectors in this country are being sold off…wonder where their outrage is? 🤔
Meanwhile, artefacts dug up by metal detectors in this country are being sold off…wonder where their outrage is? 🤔
Today's news:
What happens when museums can't afford to buy coins...
'Auctioneer, David Guest said the "stunning" coins were sold to "bidders from all over the world and exceeded my expectations".'
Bidders.
From.
All.
Over.
The.
World.
😡
#Archaeology 🏺 #Detecting
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What happens when museums can't afford to buy coins...
'Auctioneer, David Guest said the "stunning" coins were sold to "bidders from all over the world and exceeded my expectations".'
Bidders.
From.
All.
Over.
The.
World.
😡
#Archaeology 🏺 #Detecting
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
New Forest hoard of 70 coins dug up in lockdown fetch over £380k
The 69 gold coins and one silver were found in a garden in Milford on Sea in April 2020.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 7:57 AM
One of the many (silly, nonsensical) arguments that anti-repatriation folks have is that if we return all of the stolen artefacts, our museums would be empty.
Meanwhile, artefacts dug up by metal detectors in this country are being sold off…wonder where their outrage is? 🤔
Meanwhile, artefacts dug up by metal detectors in this country are being sold off…wonder where their outrage is? 🤔
Reposted by Tom Booth
THREAD: Delighted that Peterborough Museum has received £250k, to further explore the amazing Bronze Age assemblage from Must Farm. One of my favourite projects of the past few years was creating replicas of the pots, to better understand the technology behind them 🏺
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Peterborough Museum gets £250k for Bronze Age project
The two-year initiative will explore the discoveries made at Must Farm in Whittlesey.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 5:47 PM
THREAD: Delighted that Peterborough Museum has received £250k, to further explore the amazing Bronze Age assemblage from Must Farm. One of my favourite projects of the past few years was creating replicas of the pots, to better understand the technology behind them 🏺
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Tom Booth
Check out this fine #Pleistocene-themed wall art photographed by my buddy Paul Stewart in Kennington, Oxford
November 6, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Check out this fine #Pleistocene-themed wall art photographed by my buddy Paul Stewart in Kennington, Oxford
Reposted by Tom Booth
Wow! 😮🤩
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
November 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Wow! 😮🤩
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
Reposted by Tom Booth
Honestly. We all need to read this. The amount of money apparently being spent, which could instead be being invested in our museum services is horrific.
Next figures from DCMS/PAS are due in the next month or two. How bad will they be?
#Archaeology 🏺 #Torcs #Detecting
Next figures from DCMS/PAS are due in the next month or two. How bad will they be?
#Archaeology 🏺 #Torcs #Detecting
Following on from last week's blog on Treasure 'rewards', I've been trying to dig deeper into the numbers.
Although very preliminary, what I've found does not make for happy reading...
#Archaeology 🏺 #Detecting #Treasure
bigbookoftorcs.com/2025/11/04/l...
Although very preliminary, what I've found does not make for happy reading...
#Archaeology 🏺 #Detecting #Treasure
bigbookoftorcs.com/2025/11/04/l...
Looking for Treasure…
by Tess Machling [A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] Introduction Following on from my blog last week, I have been trying to find out exactly how much is being paid …
bigbookoftorcs.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Honestly. We all need to read this. The amount of money apparently being spent, which could instead be being invested in our museum services is horrific.
Next figures from DCMS/PAS are due in the next month or two. How bad will they be?
#Archaeology 🏺 #Torcs #Detecting
Next figures from DCMS/PAS are due in the next month or two. How bad will they be?
#Archaeology 🏺 #Torcs #Detecting
Reposted by Tom Booth
How does immunotherapy work, and why do some patients respond while others don’t?
Book our free talk by Samra Turajlic, head of the Cancer Dynamics Lab here at the Crick, Director of @cruk-mi.bsky.social and head of the UK-wide MANIFEST programme.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crick-cras...
Book our free talk by Samra Turajlic, head of the Cancer Dynamics Lab here at the Crick, Director of @cruk-mi.bsky.social and head of the UK-wide MANIFEST programme.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crick-cras...
Crick Crash Course: Immunotherapy
Our series of morning lectures sharing science from across the Crick in a simple and accessible way continues.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:15 AM
How does immunotherapy work, and why do some patients respond while others don’t?
Book our free talk by Samra Turajlic, head of the Cancer Dynamics Lab here at the Crick, Director of @cruk-mi.bsky.social and head of the UK-wide MANIFEST programme.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crick-cras...
Book our free talk by Samra Turajlic, head of the Cancer Dynamics Lab here at the Crick, Director of @cruk-mi.bsky.social and head of the UK-wide MANIFEST programme.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crick-cras...
Hunger Games!? Frankly one egg is un oeuf.
Egg freezing, fertility tech and why ovulation is like the Hunger Games.
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about the future of fertility.
Listen now on your favourite podcast platform:
lnk.to/AQOSFertilit...
Join our expert panellists as they answer audience questions about the future of fertility.
Listen now on your favourite podcast platform:
lnk.to/AQOSFertilit...
November 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Hunger Games!? Frankly one egg is un oeuf.
Reposted by Tom Booth
Come join us (for a little while at least)! Associate Lecturer job at Exeter in archaeology (especially people with human osteology, zooarch or forensic skills), until 30 April 2026: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPI165/a...
Associate Lecturer in Archaeology (Education and Scholarship) at University of Exeter
An academic position as a Associate Lecturer in Archaeology (Education and Scholarship) is being advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Click now to find more details and explore additional academic job opportunit...
www.jobs.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Come join us (for a little while at least)! Associate Lecturer job at Exeter in archaeology (especially people with human osteology, zooarch or forensic skills), until 30 April 2026: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPI165/a...
Reposted by Tom Booth
Some fabulous talks at this FREE day symposium on Thursday 20th November.
You can even hear me chatting about how some tiny tool marks can give us some big insights into the torc makers of the Iron Age.
#Archaeology 🏺
You can even hear me chatting about how some tiny tool marks can give us some big insights into the torc makers of the Iron Age.
#Archaeology 🏺
The LPFG symposium will be taking place on Thursday 20th November.
The full program can be found below.
Do join us from 10am - 5pm via the link here: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-joi...
The full program can be found below.
Do join us from 10am - 5pm via the link here: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-joi...
November 5, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Some fabulous talks at this FREE day symposium on Thursday 20th November.
You can even hear me chatting about how some tiny tool marks can give us some big insights into the torc makers of the Iron Age.
#Archaeology 🏺
You can even hear me chatting about how some tiny tool marks can give us some big insights into the torc makers of the Iron Age.
#Archaeology 🏺
Reposted by Tom Booth
A thread following yesterday’s Neolithic Studies Group fantastic conference in London on the theme of kinship in the Neolithic of Europe. Over 150 folk in the room or online, and many, many friendly faces. Watch out for news of our 2026 events!
Josh Pollard kicking off today’s Neolithic Studies Group conference on the theme of kinship #NSGKinship
November 4, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A thread following yesterday’s Neolithic Studies Group fantastic conference in London on the theme of kinship in the Neolithic of Europe. Over 150 folk in the room or online, and many, many friendly faces. Watch out for news of our 2026 events!
Reposted by Tom Booth
Cerne Abbas: Secrets Beneath the Giant will be released this Saturday. A trailer for the @timeteam.bsky.social Special on @hugh-willmott.bsky.social's Cerne Abbey Research Project. So excited to finally share this!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Tm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Tm...
Coming Soon! | Cerne Abbas: Secrets Beneath The Giant | TIME TEAM (Dorset) 2025
YouTube video by Time Team Official
www.youtube.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Cerne Abbas: Secrets Beneath the Giant will be released this Saturday. A trailer for the @timeteam.bsky.social Special on @hugh-willmott.bsky.social's Cerne Abbey Research Project. So excited to finally share this!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Tm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7Tm...
Reposted by Tom Booth
🏺 Nice to see folks bringing #StandingStoneSunday to this site!
Here’s my favourite photos at the Standing Stones of Stenness - first as a newbie archaeology undergrad on her first dig, and then again as a postgraduate researching for my dissertation.
Here’s my favourite photos at the Standing Stones of Stenness - first as a newbie archaeology undergrad on her first dig, and then again as a postgraduate researching for my dissertation.
November 2, 2025 at 9:32 PM
🏺 Nice to see folks bringing #StandingStoneSunday to this site!
Here’s my favourite photos at the Standing Stones of Stenness - first as a newbie archaeology undergrad on her first dig, and then again as a postgraduate researching for my dissertation.
Here’s my favourite photos at the Standing Stones of Stenness - first as a newbie archaeology undergrad on her first dig, and then again as a postgraduate researching for my dissertation.
Reposted by Tom Booth
The police continue to investigate the motive for last night's stabbings. Their initial statement is they don't have grounds to believe it was a terrorist motivated attack
Elected Reform Durham county councillor Darren Grimes posted this political attack on the assumption it was an Islamist attack
Elected Reform Durham county councillor Darren Grimes posted this political attack on the assumption it was an Islamist attack
November 2, 2025 at 11:57 AM
The police continue to investigate the motive for last night's stabbings. Their initial statement is they don't have grounds to believe it was a terrorist motivated attack
Elected Reform Durham county councillor Darren Grimes posted this political attack on the assumption it was an Islamist attack
Elected Reform Durham county councillor Darren Grimes posted this political attack on the assumption it was an Islamist attack
Highlight of my athletic career. Still sub-20 you’ll be reassured to hear…
November 1, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Highlight of my athletic career. Still sub-20 you’ll be reassured to hear…
Reposted by Tom Booth
My article in tomorrow's @theobserveruk.bsky.social now online. But go and buy a copy!
Francis Crick: The science genius with poetry in his DNA
He is celebrated for co‑discovering the double helix, but it was Crick’s poetic appreciation of the world that was key to how his mind worked
observer.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 11:37 AM
My article in tomorrow's @theobserveruk.bsky.social now online. But go and buy a copy!