Pre-proposal Veni 2025: Social and Physiological Context of Early Tobacco Adopters in Denmark

In this project we will explore the early adoption of tobacco in Denmark, focusing on the social context, demographics, and health of tobacco consumers from the 15th to 17th century. Using a combination of biomolecular detection, paleodietary isotopes, skeletal analysis, and historical records, we aim to identify early adopters, the social context motivating their consumption, and the impact on health among individuals across various social strata. Through multiproxy analysis, and comparing with countries more extensively involved in tobacco trade and cultivation, England and the Netherlands, we will provide a valuable perspective on the introduction of tobacco to Danish society.