Reconstructing Ancient Human Immune Systems

Periodontal Disease, Inflammation, and Hidden Histories of Ancient Peru

Thursday, November 6, 2025 12:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST
Johnson Center, Meeting Room E (3rd Floor)

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology (SOAN) is pleased to present a special invited lecture this Thursday, November 6th at 12:00 PM: Reconstructing Ancient Human Immune Systems: Periodontal Disease, Inflammation, and Hidden Histories of Ancient Peru. This talk by Dr. Fabian Crespo (Professor of Anthropology, University of Louisville) presents the latest in a first-of-its-kind study with SOAN’s Dr. Haagen Klaus attempting to reconstruct ancient human immune systems from skeletons discovered at archaeological sites in the Lambayeque Valley of the north coast of Peru. He combines patterns of disease and the ground-breaking recovery of immune proteins from archaeological human skeletons from the desert north coast of Peru. Dr. Crespo reveals unknown immunological landscapes – and challenges what we know about the great Andean empires and what actually happened after the Spanish conquest of Peru. Reception to follow in Horizon Hall 6325.