Lay of the Land

Solving The problems of dnA Research

Beginning in the 1980s, archaeologists realized that the new science of DNA research had the potential to yield vast amounts of reliable data about ancient people all over the world. The first trick was to learn how to recover DNA from ancient sources, usually skeletons. The second trick was learning how to overcome cultural and political resistance to the new science. In this issue of American Archaeology (see “Revealing The Past Through DNA,” page 26) we report on the latest developments in ancient DNA research, both scientific and political.

Happily, archaeologists, geneticists, and their colleagues are making good progress on both fronts. Decades of insensitivity by archaeologists to Native American concerns triggered resistance to DNA research by some tribes. But now that mistrust is giving way to cooperation, resulting in a steady stream of new DNA information about modern Natives and ancient peoples.

By analyzing DNA from living people and ancient DNA from human remains, researchers have identified at least 15 founding lineages that came from Asia. This data can eventually produce a timetable for migrations. And this is just the beginning of the kind of results ancient DNA research can produce. Resolving the cultural and political problems associated with this new research is the key to unlocking a lot more information that will benefit us all.

Mark Michel, President