E-Book Overview
Ancient DNA refers to DNA which can be recovered and analyzed from clinical, museum, archaeological and paleontological specimens. Ancient DNA ranges in age from less than 100 years to tens of millions of years. The study of ancient DNA is a young field, but it has been revolutionized by the application of polymerase chain reaction technology, and interest is growing very rapidly. Fields as diverse as evolution, anthropology, medicine, agriculture, and even law enforcement have quickly found applications in the recovery of ancient DNA. This book contains contributions from many of the "first generation" researchers who pioneered the development and application of ancient DNA methods. Their chapters present the protocols and precautions which have resulted in the remarkable results obtained in recent years. The range of subjects reflects the wide diversity of applications that are emerging in research on ancient DNA, including the study of DNA to analyze kinship, recovery of DNA from organisms trapped in amber, ancient DNA from human remains preserved in a variety of locations and conditions, DNA recovered from herbarium and museum specimens, and DNA isolated from ancient plant seeds or compression fossils. Ancient DNA will serve as a valuable source of information, ideas, and protocols for anyone interested in this extraordinary field.
E-Book Content
Ancient DNA
Bernd Herrmann
Susanne Hummel
Editors
Ancient DNA Recovery and Analysis of Genetic Material from Paleontological, Archaeological, Museum, Medical, and Forensic Specimens With 50 Illustrations
Springer-Verlag New York Berlin Heidelberg London Paris Tokyo Hong Kong Barcelona Budapest
Bernd Herrmann InslitUi rur Anlhropologie Univcrsitiil COllingen 37073 COllingen, Cermany
Susanne Hummel Inslitul rur Anlhropologie Universitiil COllingen 37073 COllingen, Cennany
Cover an plUl'ided by Prof. Dr. Bernd Herrma nn .
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Ancienl DNA : recovery and analysis of geroetic material from paleontological, arcllaeological, museum. medical. and forensic specimens ' editors. Bernd Herrmann, Susanroe Hummel. p. em. Includes bibliograpllical refereoces and illdell.
ISBN- 13: 978-0-381-94308-4 DOl: 10.10071978-1-4612-4318-2
e-ISBN- 13: 978- 1-4612-4318-2
I. DNA. Fossil. I. Herrmann. Bernd. [QP620.AB 1994b]
II . Hummel. Susanne.
574.87'3282- dc20
94-11352
Printed on acid-free paper.
©
1994 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Softcover reprint orlhe harcover 1s l edition 1994 All rights reserved. Tllis work may nO{ be translated or copied in whole or in pan witllout tile written pennission of the publisller (S pringer-Verlag New York , Inc., 175 Fifth Avenue, New York , NY ]0010. USA) excepl for brief ellcerplS in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any fonn of infonnation storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer softw.lre. or by si milar or dissimilar methodology now known or lIereafter developed is forbidden. Tile use of geroeral descriptive names, trade names, trademarks, etc., in th is publication, even jf tile fonner are not espec ially identified, is not to be taken as a sign Illat such names. as understood by the Trade Marks and Mercllalldise Marks Act. may accordingly be used freely by anyone. Acquiring editor: Roben C. Garber Production managed by Theresa Kornak. manufacluring supervised by Jacqui AsIITi Typeset by Thomson Press India Ltd . . New Dellli
9 8 7
6.5 4 32]
Preface
When we began our attempts to clone DNA from archaeological specimens of bones in 1986 we were not successful, either with DNA or with funding. We assume that other scholars had similar experiences. Since that time, th