

The Opiated Ocean: Drugs, Addiction, and Disease in La Trata Amarilla
This article tells a surprising story about how opium was used on ships carrying Chinese workers in the 1800s. Officials thought opium could stop deadly diseases like cholera on board. But opium was risky—it caused addiction and sickness too. The story connects drug use, disease, and global movement of workers in a new and eye-opening way.
Mesopotamian Words for “Slave”: Opacity and Mutability in Early Terms and Practices
This article studies the ancient Mesopotamian words for “slave” and finds they were unclear on purpose. This vagueness let slavery change and continue over time. The words had many meanings for social status, law, and economy, helping slavery to last and be seen as normal by later societies despite its complexity.
The Opiated Ocean: Drugs, Addiction, and Disease in La Trata Amarilla
This article tells a surprising story about how opium was used on ships carrying Chinese workers in the 1800s. Officials thought opium could stop deadly diseases like cholera on board. But opium was risky—it caused addiction and sickness too. The story connects drug use, disease, and global movement of workers in a new and eye-opening way.
Mesopotamian Words for “Slave”: Opacity and Mutability in Early Terms and Practices
This article studies the ancient Mesopotamian words for “slave” and finds they were unclear on purpose. This vagueness let slavery change and continue over time. The words had many meanings for social status, law, and economy, helping slavery to last and be seen as normal by later societies despite its complexity.