Advances in ancient DNA research can help radiological interpretations of archaeological diseases

Abstract

Evolutionary medicine explores among other things the human vulnerability towards pathogens. To increase the diagnostic level of evidence, alongside radiological investigations, molecular techniques (such as ancient DNA analyses) are often being applied. Ancient DNA (aDNA) is DNA recovered from archaeological and historical specimens. This DNA is highly degraded and fragmented by biological and environmental factors and is therefore difficult to analyse. However, sequences retrieved from ancient material are highly useful in many ways, including for medical purposes. The first aDNA experiment was conducted in 1984 to determine the biological classification of the extinct quagga, revealedtobeacloserelativeofthezebra[1].Inthe1980sand 1990s there were multiple publications in which the authors claimed to have extracted aDNA from a variety of samples. However,someofthesesequenceswerelaterdeterminedtobe the result of modern contamination. This led to the introduction of vigorous anti-contamination procedures in the field of aDNA research. At this time a greater understanding of the need for hypothesis-led research allowed for a great diversity of targets. Ancient DNA has been used extensively, for example, to clarify the domestication events of animals and plants, to understand the movements of humans, and to examine the history of modern and ancient disease.