How are the disciplines of Science and History interrelated?

Mrs Kay-Barrero and Mrs Wright led a lecture for the 4s, in which they explored how science and history are interrelated, using the example of The Mary Rose ship.

The lecture revealed that science and history have more in common than you think; science can help piece together parts of history, due to the advances in technology.

Many students were familiar with the famous Mary Rose; the state-of-the-art ship which Henry VIII used during the war he declared in 1512. After this, the ship was largely inactive, until the fatal conflict in 1545.

On 12 July 1545, the French set sail and entered the Solent on 19th July, Henry watched from Southsea Castle as the French fleet arrived. The Mary Rose fired from her starboard side, then came about to fire from the port side, however, the starboard gunports were left open, causing water to flood into the ship, resulting in it sinking within minutes. 

Divers were sent down on the King's request following the battle to recover the weapons worth an estimated £2 million. The wreck was successfully brought the surface in 1982, 470 years after it had sunk. 

Studies of the remains of those who perished on The Mary Rose have been ongoing since 1982. Recently, cutting edge, scientific techniques have been able to reveal more than ever. Head of Biology, Mrs Wright explained "a technique called multi-isotope analysis was used on the teeth found, enabling scientists to determine where they were born, their ancestry and even their diets!". Students were fascinated by the scientists ability to find out so much about the crew, Mrs Wright went on to explain this research has helped to discover the reason behind the ships sinking. Further analysis revealed the diversity of the crew, showing that crew members were from across Europe, Mrs Wright explained Isotope Fractionation - a process in which enamel in the teeth were analysed, revealing that several of the crew's teeth were enriched with oxygen from areas of higher temperatures and lower altitudes than England; it is suggested that poor communication and language barriers led to the gunports being left open. 

History teacher, Mrs Kay-Barrero stressed the importance of scientific processes aiding historical research, which allow us to understand historical events in greater detail.

One student shared her experience of visiting The Mary Rose, explaining to the class the conditions in which the ship is displayed, Mrs Kay-Barrero explained the wet, dark conditions are necessary as it replicate the conditions the wood was under in the sea; which is vital for the preservation of the remaining parts of the ship. The lecture ended with students writing down their thoughts on how the disciplines of science and history are interrelated.