J. Burger, R. Schoon, B. Zeike, S. Hummel, B. Herrmann
{"title":"Species Determination using Species-discriminating PCR-RFLP of Ancient DNA from Prehistoric Skeletal Remains","authors":"J. Burger, R. Schoon, B. Zeike, S. Hummel, B. Herrmann","doi":"10.1080/13586120290018491","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13586120290018491","url":null,"abstract":"Interspecific sequence polymorphisms in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were analyzed by PCR-RFLP to determine the species origin of Bronze Age animal skeletal remains. Existing techniques were refined by targeted primer design focusing on a DNA fragment shorter than 200 bp, an approach allowing us to identify up to six animal species at the same time. Possible contaminants, such as human DNA, were reliably ruled out. For routine applications in archaeometry, food or material analyses, PCR-RFLP may thus provide a simple alternative to sequencing of PCR products, allowing discrimination between species, even if the template DNA is degraded or contains traces of DNA from various species.","PeriodicalId":428796,"journal":{"name":"Ancient Biomolecules","volume":"353 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132306584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reconstruction of Residence Patterns Through Genetic Typing of Skeletal Remains of an Early Medieval Population","authors":"J. Gerstenberger, S. Hummel, B. Herrmann","doi":"10.1080/13586120290018509","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13586120290018509","url":null,"abstract":"The study is carried out on a randomly drawn sample of 200 individuals from the early medieval graveyard at Weingarten, Germany, dating from the 5th-8th century A.D. This skeletal population comprises 800 individuals, who show variation of their social standing through characteristic sets of grave goods that display wealth and rank differentials. Several DNA typing approaches are applied to reconstruct residence patterns in this socially stratified population. For one, the simultaneous amplification of nine autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) generates the genetic fingerprint that is unique to an individual. Furthermore, through the analysis of Y-chromosomal STRs individuals of the same paternal lineage can be identified, whereas sequencing analysis of the hypervariable region of the mitochondrial DNA can determine which members of a population belong to the same matrilineage. Comparisons between the social groups will show if differing variabilities can be detected for the analysed DNA sequences. In th...","PeriodicalId":428796,"journal":{"name":"Ancient Biomolecules","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133058121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Analysis of Five Ancient Equine Skeletons by Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing","authors":"M. Sica, S. Aceto, A. Genovese, L. Gaudio","doi":"10.1080/1358612031000083243","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1358612031000083243","url":null,"abstract":"Pompeii is a unique archaeological site because of the natural disaster occurred there makes it possible to perform many kinds of studies, including the biological and naturalistic. Morphological and morphometric analyses were conducted on five equine skeletons dated to 79 BC , found in a stable near the \"Casti Amanti\" house, to assess their taxonomic assignment. These studies classified four of the skeletons as donkeys and one as a mule. We report the molecular characterisation of the five equine skeletons based on their ancient DNA extraction and sequencing. Attention was focused on the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), compared to DNA from the living equine species Equus asinus and Equus caballus . The results of molecular analyses do not fit exactly with previous morphological and morphometric studies. Our data indicates that two of the skeletons could be horses or mules and three could be donkeys or hinnies. This result demonstrates the relevant contribution of modern molecular approaches t...","PeriodicalId":428796,"journal":{"name":"Ancient Biomolecules","volume":"55 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"120975577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Arroyo-Pardo, M. A. Ocaña, J. J. Arroyo, A. Pérez‐Pérez, D. Turbón, G. Trancho, M. S. Rodríguez-Albarrán, J. Casas, B. Robledo, F. Bandrés
{"title":"HPLC and UV-Spectrophotometry Examination of Ancient DNA and PCR Inhibitors in Old Human Remains","authors":"E. Arroyo-Pardo, M. A. Ocaña, J. J. Arroyo, A. Pérez‐Pérez, D. Turbón, G. Trancho, M. S. Rodríguez-Albarrán, J. Casas, B. Robledo, F. Bandrés","doi":"10.1080/13586120290018518","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13586120290018518","url":null,"abstract":"The study of ancient human remains can be approached today through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, but one of the main difficulties involves overcoming strong PCR inhibitions. We studied skeletal remains from six archaeological sites. The remains studied include a total of 27 individuals and span between 2500 and 400 years before the present. DNA was extracted from 35 samples and sex-specific amelogenin sequences were amplified to identify the sex of the samples. Only consistent results for which molecular and anthropometrical data agreed were considered. Notwithstanding the success of the sex identification, the samples were analysed using ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in order to establish a rapid protocol to predict the possible presence and state of ancient DNA. A combination of UV and HPLC peaks seems to indicate a strong degradation of endogenous DNA. A PCR inhibitor was also isolated through HPLC in a set of six samples.","PeriodicalId":428796,"journal":{"name":"Ancient Biomolecules","volume":"37 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133969689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Kiesslich, M. Radacher, F. Neuhuber, H. Meyer, Kurt W. Zeller
{"title":"On the Use of Nitrocellulose Membranes for Dialysis-mediated Purification of Ancient DNA from Human Bone and Teeth Extracts","authors":"J. Kiesslich, M. Radacher, F. Neuhuber, H. Meyer, Kurt W. Zeller","doi":"10.1080/1358612021000010668","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1358612021000010668","url":null,"abstract":"One of the crucial steps during ancient DNA purification is the removal of inhibitory substances from hard tissue extracts. We present a cheap and easy-to-perform method for the purification of ancient DNA using nitrocellulose membranes in order to remove inhibitory inorganic (EDTA, calcium, etc.) and organic (humic acid, fulvic acids, etc.) compounds from tissue extracts in a single step procedure. Subsequent ethanol precipitation provides purified and concentrated ancient DNA, suitable for multiplex PCR amplification.","PeriodicalId":428796,"journal":{"name":"Ancient Biomolecules","volume":"48 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123175684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparison between silica-based methods for the extraction of DNA from human bones from 18th–mid-19th century London","authors":"Abigail S. Bouwman, T. Brown","doi":"10.1080/1358612021000028470","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1358612021000028470","url":null,"abstract":"We compared five silica-based methods for their efficiency at extracting DNA from human bones from 18th to mid-19th century London. Polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) were directed at two mitochondrial and one nuclear loci. Methods that used commercially available silica columns were more efficient than methods that used a silica slurry. Extraction with Qiagen QIAquick columns and the Qiagen QIAamp DNA Mini Kit were equally efficient, though we recommend the former as this method involves fewer steps.","PeriodicalId":428796,"journal":{"name":"Ancient Biomolecules","volume":"59 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127591770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mitochondrial DNA Analysis in a 5300-year-old Specimen from Israel","authors":"L. Agamy, M. Faerman, Patricia Smith","doi":"10.1080/1358612021000040430","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1358612021000040430","url":null,"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...","PeriodicalId":428796,"journal":{"name":"Ancient Biomolecules","volume":"13 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122368294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ancient DNA Recovered by a Non-destructive Method","authors":"Janice C. Cobb","doi":"10.1080/1358612021000028461","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1358612021000028461","url":null,"abstract":"When ancient DNA is obtained from dental remains by bone milling, crushing and sectioning, the morphologically informative crown and roots sustain damage which renders them of little or no further use to other investigators. The newly patented Reverse-Root-Canal technique makes it possible to obtain dentin rich in nucleic acids without damaging the teeth. This new non-destructive method to obtain dentin containing ancient DNA could, in effect, multiply the meager supply of ancient dental remains that are available.","PeriodicalId":428796,"journal":{"name":"Ancient Biomolecules","volume":"173 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132766820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Palaeodietary patterning and radiocarbon dating of Neolithic populations in the Primorye Province, Russian Far East.","authors":"Y. Kuzmin, M. Richards, M. Yoneda","doi":"10.1080/1358612021000010695","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1358612021000010695","url":null,"abstract":"Here, we report new radiocarbon dates and palaeodietary data ( i 13 C and i 15 N measurements) from human bone collagen of two Early Neolithic populations in Primorye (Maritime) Province, in the Russian Far East. We found that the coastal people of the Boisman 2 site ( n =10) had isotope values consistent with a diet of (likely hunted) sea mammals, while the inland population of the Chertovy Vorota site ( n =2) had isotope values consistent with a diet that was a mixture of both terrestrial and marine (mostly fish) food resources. Our results suggest that advanced sea mammal hunting already existed in Primorye at ca. 5800 BP (ca. 6600 cal years BP). Marine reservoir corrections were required for the radiocarbon dates on the human remains, due to the consumption of \"old\" marine-based carbon.","PeriodicalId":428796,"journal":{"name":"Ancient Biomolecules","volume":"79 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128255008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Wischmann, S. Hummel, M. Rothschild, B. Herrmann
{"title":"Analysis of Nicotine in Archaeological Skeletons from the Early Modern Age and from the Bronze Age","authors":"H. Wischmann, S. Hummel, M. Rothschild, B. Herrmann","doi":"10.1080/1358612021000010686","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1358612021000010686","url":null,"abstract":"In the last few years, identifications of drugs in archaeological human remains were reported several times but comments on the reliability of the data were often missing. To obtain valid data, in particular on nicotine residues in ancient bones, two skeletal series were analyzed and environmental influences on the results estimated in an exposure experiment. Bone samples from the early modern age (18th century, Goslar, Germany) and from the Bronze Age (Lichtenstein Cave, Germany) were analyzed for the tobacco alkaloid and its major metabolite, cotinine. In 22 out of 34 femur samples of the Goslar series, trace amounts of nicotine were found, but no cotinine, the major metabolite. Its finding would have proved the use of tobacco in the historic population, whereas the mere discovery of nicotine cannot discriminate between endogenous material and that resulting from a contamination during the sample treatment or museum storage. This points to the necessity of further pilot studies for long-term persistence...","PeriodicalId":428796,"journal":{"name":"Ancient Biomolecules","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1900-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132574721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}