Extraction of Viking DNA from Skeletal Remains
Scientists reported that they have successfully extracted “authentic” viking DNA from skeletal remains.
It is very difficult to extract a pure sample of ancient human DNA that is free of contamination from modern human sources. Ancient DNA that is intact is very hard to find, and is often in scarce amounts. The fact that modern human DNA is abundant in every step of the process, from excavation of remains to DNA analysis, further complicates the DNA extraction process—and this has caused many scientists to believe that it is virtually impossible to obtain uncontaminated ancient human DNA.
A pure sample is essential in order to properly analyze the DNA for migration patterns and origins of genetic diseases. Previous studies using ancient DNA have led to ill-formed conclusions that were later disproved due to evidence of contamination.
The scientist were able to achieve pure ancient DNA extracts by:
- Analyzing DNA from ten Viking Age subjects that at the time of sampling were untouched by humans for 1,000 years.
- Removing teeth from the subjects prior to handling by archaeologists and anthropologists using protective equipment.
- For comparison, removing an additional tooth after standard archaeological and anthropological handling.
All work was carried out in a “clean laboratory” dedicated solely to ancient DNA work. The scientists found that consistent results were obtained with the “unhandled” teeth and there was no indication of contamination, unlike the second tooth from which DNA was extracted after normal handling.
Using the pure ancient DNA, they were able to discover mitochondrial DNA patterns that are infrequent or have not been observed in modern Scandinavians.
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on Friday, July 18th, 2008 at 1:48 pm and is filed under Home Paternity Tests.
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