Quids and Aprons: Ancient DNA from Artifacts from the American Southwest

The success of ancient DNA (aDNA) studies rests on the preservation of DNA through time, and can be limited by the availability of skeletal samples from particular times and locations. To help overcome this limitation, we sought to extract, amplify, and type human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) preserved...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of field archaeology 2007-01, Vol.32 (2), p.161-175
Main Authors: LeBlanc, Steven A., Cobb Kreisman, Lori S., Kemp, Brian M., Smiley, Francis E., Carlyle, Shawn W., Dhody, Anna N., Benjamin, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aprons
Archaeology
Basketry
DNA
Field archaeology
Human genetics
Material culture
Mitochondrial DNA
Paleoanthropology
Population genetics
Special Studies
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Summary:The success of ancient DNA (aDNA) studies rests on the preservation of DNA through time, and can be limited by the availability of skeletal samples from particular times and locations. To help overcome this limitation, we sought to extract, amplify, and type human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) preserved within 1000- to 2000+-year-old artifacts from the American Southwest. In this study, we successfully typed mtDNA from 21 quids and aprons from Basketmaker II and Mimbres contexts. Recovery and analysis of human DNA from such artifacts will be helpful in confirming and extending genetic characterization of ancient populations for which human remains are scarce or unavailable. To illustrate the potential of these techniques, we tested them as a preliminary and independent line of evidence, relevant to the hypothesis that Western Basketmaker populations in the U S. Southwest were descendants of migrant farmers from central Mexico.
ISSN:0093-4690
2042-4582
DOI:10.1179/009346907791071610