The National Technical Museum extends an invitation to scientists, students, and enthusiasts in the fields of archaeology, the history of medicine, anthropology, and their impact on contemporary science to submit papers for the international conference "Researching the Past, Advancing the Future of Medicine." The conference is scheduled to take place at the National Technical Museum, Kostelní 42, 170 78 Prague 7, on April 17 and 18, 2024.

The official language of the conference is English. Distinguished figures in the fields of archaeology and the history of medicine have been invited to present keynote papers. Doc. Mgr. Karel Černý, Ph.D., the head of the Institute for History of Medicine and Foreign Languages at the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, will discuss the first smallpox inoculation in his presentation titled "Paradigm Reversed: The First Smallpox Inoculation in Europe (before 1714)“. Dr. Antonella Pedergnana, from the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Institute of Evolutionary Medicine of University of Zurich and Institute for Mummy Studies EURAC, will present a paper entitled "Mouths through millennia: Tracing the evolution of oral health and past dietary habits and its significance for modern dentistry". Dr. Nicholas Summerton, the author of the book “Greco-Roman Medicine and What It Can Teach Us Today” will provide an overview of ancient scholars' findings carried down to the present day in his paper "Ancient Wisdom and Modern Medicine". Professor Robert Arnott of Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, will share insights gained from his research and teaching experience as Professor of the History and Archaeology of Medicine in his presentation "What Can Archaeology Tell Us About the History of Medicine?". Part of the program will include a practical workshop on traceology analysis of metal artefacts, featuring examples in the form of tools for treatment purposes.

To submit your contribution, whether in the form of a 20-minute presentation and/or poster, please send the title and abstract of your proposed contribution (up to 300 words) in English, along with your name and the name of your institution, to lucie.buresova@ntm.cz. Alternatively, you can fill in the registration form at the following link: https://forms.gle/LaAvVdmNiWgViU849. Submissions will be accepted until February 29, 2024. Presenters will be notified of acceptance, and the program will be finalized by March 17, 2024.

There is no registration fee for presenters. For more details, you can refer to the Call for Papers at the following link: Registration form

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this exciting event.