Archaeogenetics: Advent of Genetics in Field of Archaeology

Abstract

In order to prove the archaeological hypotheses, other fields of science such as Anthropology, Botany, Zoology and Chemistry are required. The applications of molecular genetics in answering questions concerning the primitive populations have been clarified. Therefore, pre-historic archaeologists with co-operating of Human evolutionary geneticists and Molecular Anthropologist are forming a new field of study called Archaeogenetics. As one of the applications of this field of study in pre-historic Archaeology of Europe, specific demographic models are provided for the elaborate chronological patterning of agriculture across Europe at the beginning of Neolithic period. In molecular archaeology, genetic materials are used; Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is used for maternal lineages and Y chromosome DNA is used for paternal lineages of pre-historic populations. Through appearing of the advanced techniques of molecular biology, the study of human genetics has faced new revolution. These techniques are increasingly used for discovery and use of genes in anthropology, medicine and forensic genetics. Every person, in his genomes, carries a genetic record of his ancestors. The investigation of the living populations' diversity provides some pieces of information on the evolutionary process, population dispersion and emigration in the past. Therefore, it's time to apply this technology in zonal studies for considering the questions of a specific section of history.