Text Genes: Using phylogenetics to explore the evolution of the New Testament text

The third seminar from our newly formed HADES seminar series was presented by Dr Robert Turnbull. This series brings together a wide range of interdisciplinary research at the intersection of Humanities and digital scholarship. We will hear from speakers on topics ranging from digital ethics and machine learning through to architecture and literary studies, but always with a focus on the crucial role that the Humanities play in helping to explain and shape complex human experiences. The series aims to challenge and extend understandings of digital research in the Humanities and present new and emerging work by scholars working across and between disciplines.

Speaker: Dr Robert Turnbull, Research Data Specialist, Melbourne Data Analytics Platform 

When: Thursday 17 June, 3:30-4:30pm 

Format: 30 minute presentation & 30 minute open discussion 

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/hades-text-genes-using-phylogenetics-to-explore-the-evolution-of-the-new-tickets-158687100389

Abstract: “The literary treasures of the ancient world have been transmitted to us by scribes copying the texts by hand. But scribes make mistakes. Editors and revisors craft and adapt texts to suit the needs of their contexts. This is no less the case with religious texts. The New Testament has a staggeringly complex literary tradition with tens of thousands of manuscripts copied over more than 1500 years in a great variety of languages. This bewildering transmission history produced roughly half a million textual variants. Just as genetic mutations in the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) are analysed by bioinformaticians to trace the transmission of the virus, we can adapt the same method to infer rich historical information from textual mutations. This seminar discusses this approach and how it has been used to uncover the significance of a newly discovered family of Arabic Gospel manuscripts.”

Approximately 50 attendees contributed to a stimulating and exciting discussion. Thanks Robert!

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