Mitochondrial DNA Analysis in a 5300-year-old Specimen from Israel

Abstract

We attempted DNA extraction from 14 bone and dental specimens found at Wadi Maqoch site, which is located in the Jordan Valley and dated to the Chalcolithic period. DNA was isolated from tiny amounts of bone and tooth powder following a slightly modified silica extraction protocol. Stringent precautions were undertaken to prevent possible contamination of the samples. Each DNA sample was subjected to a number of PCR reactions. Sex identification was performed using primers and conditions described by Sullivan and colleagues, but failed to provide positive results. Hypervariable segment I (HS-I) of the mitochondrial DNA control region was amplified in three overlapping PCR reactions. One of the DNA samples yielded amplification products of 153 bp, 232 bp and 271 bp that together comprised almost the complete HS-I. Automated sequencing revealed the following changes as compared to the Cambridge Reference Sequence: G to C at position 16,129, C to T at position 16,223. In addition, equal peaks of C and T were...