Application of Molecular Genetic Methods in Anthropological and Paleodemographic Studies of Fragmentary and Damaged Skeletal Material from Rescue Excavations
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2012 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Journal of Life Sciences |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Archaeology, anthropology, ethnology |
| Keywords | Sex determination; aDNA; amelogenin; SRY; PowerPlex ESX 17 System; Pohansko |
| Description | The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the application of molecular genetic methods in anthropology and paleodemography in cases where the examined bone material is damaged and fragmented, and where the skeletal remains of children are investigated. The application of traditional anthropological methods is limited, especially if sex determination of children and fragmentary skeletal remains is detected. Sex typing genetic markers (SRY, amelogenin) were used for sex determination of children and undetermined fragmentary skeletal remains from the burial site Pohansko, south outer precincts (Czech Republic). This is an approximately 1,200 year-old burial site (the Great Moravian period), which was excavated during rescue excavations. After the genetic analysis, sex was determined in more than half of the investigated samples. The results of the genetic analysis were used for completion of demographic data of this archaeological site. The results of sex determination of several samples were independently verified by the Institute of Criminology in Prague (Czech Republic), using the PowerPlex ESX 17 System (Promega). This study showed the suitability of modern molecular genetic methods to skeletal anthropology and paleodemographic analyses. |
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