Was God righter than we thought? In the Bible, God tells Adam he is made of dust. For centuries people thought it was a poetic metaphor. But modern science shows that it might be true.
Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return
Was God righter than we thought? In the Bible, God tells Adam he is made of dust. For centuries people thought it was a poetic metaphor. But modern science shows that it might be true.
The Creation of Adam is one of the most famous artworks in history. God points his finger at the naked AdamThe name given in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament to the first human. , granting him the gift of life.
Painted by MichelangeloAn Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect and poet. He lived from 1475 to 1564. on the ceiling of the Sistine ChapelA room in the Vatican City whose ceiling is painted by the Renaissance artist Michelangelo., it is based on the Bible story of man's creation. This story has been adopted by various religions, including Christianity and Islam. In it, God says to his creation: "For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."
For centuries these words were believed to be poetic. But new research suggests that it may be true after all. We humans might be made of dust.
Dust is a collection of small particles of material that floats in the air. It is heavy enough that, in certain light conditions, we can see it. But it is light enough to blow around in the wind.
It can include rock, sand, cement, dirt, bacteriaA large group of single-cell microorganisms. Some cause disease in animals and humans. , ash, smoke, pollen and salt. And it also often contains human and animal skin and hair. As researcher Jay Owens writes: "almost everything can become dust, given time."
That includes us. If a person is crematedTo burn a dead person's body, usually as part of a funeral ceremony. after death, they become an ash that floats around with other dust. If buried, our body decomposes and our skeleton breaks down into bone dust.
Owens has written a new book, Dust: The Modern World in a Trillion Particles, that explores the extraordinary extent to which dust affects our lives.
Dust is everywhere. Cities are choked with soot from exhaust fumes, ash from cigarettes and pollen from plants. Every time a bike or car wheel rolls against tarmac, some dust is released.1
It can be dangerous. Air pollutionThe presence in the air of harmful or poisonous substances. Air pollution can cause many health problems. is the fifth biggest cause of death in the world, causing 4.2m lives to be lost each year.2
If dust is something we can become sick from, however, surely it is different to the matter that makes us up? If it is dangerous to us, then how can it be the same as us?
<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Was God righter than we thought?</strong></h5>
Yes: God is completely correct. The universe is made of dust. Dust is all around us. The stuff that we are made of came from cosmic dust. And we will one day return to ash and air particles.
No: Humans one day become dust. But our idea of dust is a distinctive one that refers to the dirt that builds up on our bodies and surfaces, outside people rather than in them.
Or... Dust is everywhere. As Owens writes, it is "a symbol of time, decay and death - and also the residue of life". But we need to separate the different types of particles that we call dust.
Adam - The name given in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament to the first human.
Michelangelo - An Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect and poet. He lived from 1475 to 1564.
Sistine Chapel - A room in the Vatican City whose ceiling is painted by the Renaissance artist Michelangelo.
Bacteria - A large group of single-cell microorganisms. Some cause disease in animals and humans.
Cremated - To burn a dead person's body, usually as part of a funeral ceremony.
Air pollution - The presence in the air of harmful or poisonous substances. Air pollution can cause many health problems.
Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return

Glossary
Adam - The name given in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament to the first human.
Michelangelo - An Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect and poet. He lived from 1475 to 1564.
Sistine Chapel - A room in the Vatican City whose ceiling is painted by the Renaissance artist Michelangelo.
Bacteria - A large group of single-cell microorganisms. Some cause disease in animals and humans.
Cremated - To burn a dead person's body, usually as part of a funeral ceremony.
Air pollution - The presence in the air of harmful or poisonous substances. Air pollution can cause many health problems.