Neandertal and Denisovan DNA from Pleistocene sediments

Authors: Slon, V., Stewart, J.R. et al.

Journal: Science

Volume: 356

Issue: 6338

Pages: 605-608

eISSN: 1095-9203

ISSN: 0036-8075

DOI: 10.1126/science.aam9695

Abstract:

Although a rich record of Pleistocene human-associated archaeological assemblages exists, the scarcity of hominin fossils often impedes the understanding of which hominins occupied a site. Using targeted enrichment of mitochondrial DNA, we show that cave sediments represent a rich source of ancient mammalian DNA that often includes traces of hominin DNA, even at sites and in layers where no hominin remains have been discovered. By automation-assisted screening of numerous sediment samples, we detected Neandertal DNA in eight archaeological layers from four caves in Eurasia. In Denisova Cave, we retrieved Denisovan DNA in a Middle Pleistocene layer near the bottom of the stratigraphy. Our work opens the possibility of detecting the presence of hominin groups at sites and in areas where no skeletal remains are found.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29206/

Source: Scopus

Neandertal and Denisovan DNA from Pleistocene sediments.

Authors: Slon, V., Stewart, J.R. et al.

Journal: Science

Volume: 356

Issue: 6338

Pages: 605-608

eISSN: 1095-9203

DOI: 10.1126/science.aam9695

Abstract:

Although a rich record of Pleistocene human-associated archaeological assemblages exists, the scarcity of hominin fossils often impedes the understanding of which hominins occupied a site. Using targeted enrichment of mitochondrial DNA, we show that cave sediments represent a rich source of ancient mammalian DNA that often includes traces of hominin DNA, even at sites and in layers where no hominin remains have been discovered. By automation-assisted screening of numerous sediment samples, we detected Neandertal DNA in eight archaeological layers from four caves in Eurasia. In Denisova Cave, we retrieved Denisovan DNA in a Middle Pleistocene layer near the bottom of the stratigraphy. Our work opens the possibility of detecting the presence of hominin groups at sites and in areas where no skeletal remains are found.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29206/

Source: PubMed

Neandertal and Denisovan DNA from Pleistocene sediments

Authors: Slon, V., Stewart, J.R. et al.

Journal: SCIENCE

Volume: 356

Issue: 6338

Pages: 605-+

eISSN: 1095-9203

ISSN: 0036-8075

DOI: 10.1126/science.aam9695

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29206/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Neandertal and Denisovan DNA from Pleistocene sediments.

Authors: Slon, V., Stewart, J.R. et al.

Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.)

Volume: 356

Issue: 6338

Pages: 605-608

eISSN: 1095-9203

ISSN: 0036-8075

DOI: 10.1126/science.aam9695

Abstract:

Although a rich record of Pleistocene human-associated archaeological assemblages exists, the scarcity of hominin fossils often impedes the understanding of which hominins occupied a site. Using targeted enrichment of mitochondrial DNA, we show that cave sediments represent a rich source of ancient mammalian DNA that often includes traces of hominin DNA, even at sites and in layers where no hominin remains have been discovered. By automation-assisted screening of numerous sediment samples, we detected Neandertal DNA in eight archaeological layers from four caves in Eurasia. In Denisova Cave, we retrieved Denisovan DNA in a Middle Pleistocene layer near the bottom of the stratigraphy. Our work opens the possibility of detecting the presence of hominin groups at sites and in areas where no skeletal remains are found.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29206/

Source: Europe PubMed Central

Neandertal and Denisovan DNA from Pleistocene sediments.

Authors: Slon, V., Stewart, J.R. et al.

Journal: Science

Volume: 356

Issue: 6338

Pages: 605-608

ISSN: 0036-8075

Abstract:

Although a rich record of Pleistocene human-associated archaeological assemblages exists, the scarcity of hominin fossils often impedes the understanding of which hominins occupied a site. Using targeted enrichment of mitochondrial DNA we show that cave sediments represent a rich source of ancient mammalian DNA that often includes traces of hominin DNA, even at sites and in layers where no hominin remains have been discovered. By automation-assisted screening of numerous sediment samples we detect Neandertal DNA in eight archaeological layers from four caves in Eurasia. In Denisova Cave we retrieved Denisovan DNA in a Middle Pleistocene layer near the bottom of the stratigraphy. Our work opens the possibility to detect the presence of hominin groups at sites and in areas where no skeletal remains are found.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/29206/

Source: BURO EPrints