Decoding Ancient DNA


8232From tiny remnants of tartar (the calculus built up on your teeth) to a minuscule segment of a finger bone, ancient DNA data is providing unprecedented insights into the recent history of our species. In particular, methodological improvements and innovations over the last ten years have advanced our ability to recover small fragments, target specific sequences, identify damage patterns, and obtain genome scale data. As a result, we have evidence for admixture among modern and archaic humans as well as greater appreciation for the complexity of population histories for modern humans around the world. We know the diets of our predecessors and even physical traits they have passed on to us. This symposium brings together researchers at the forefront of ancient DNA research and population genetics to discuss current developments and share insights about human migration and adaptation.

Watch Ancient DNA and Human Evolution.