The team of scientists tested various chemicals to avoid damaging valuables and developed a method for preserving microstructures on the surface of artifacts made from skeletal elements. The scientists focused specifically on skeletal elements, as they are more porous and therefore more likely to retain DNA found in skin cells, sweat, and other bodily fluids.
While previous methods did not allow attribution of artifacts to specific individuals due to the lack of burials and burials in the Paleolithic era, the new method successfully identified the DNA of an ancient person from a dental pendant in Denisova Cave in Russia.
Based on the mitochondrial DNA analysis, the researchers concluded that most of the DNA most likely came from a person, a woman. Using the mitochondrial genomes of wapiti deer and humans, the team was able to estimate the necklace’s age at 19,000 to 25,000.
Source: Ferra
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