Even necklaces and earrings found tens of thousands of years ago can shed light on those years. The status distinction and culture of the human community in the region where the accessories are found comes to light thanks to these discoveries.
However, the absence of human remains in the same area prevents us from knowing exactly where the people living at that time belonged. However, this is now possible with newly developed methods. An example was announced in a study published on May 3.
DNA samples were taken from a necklace found in Russia!
- Deer tusk with DNA sampled, carved for a necklace.
Scientists from the Max Planck Institute used the new method they developed to obtain human DNA contaminated on an item without breaking the item. In 2019, ‘environmental DNA (eDNA)’ was obtained from the necklace found in Denisova Cave in Siberia and thought to be about 20 thousand years old.
What did the DNA from the necklace tell us?
Scientists examining the DNA saw that the number of X chromosomes in the DNA indicated that the person wearing this necklace was a woman. In addition, the woman’s DNA matched two communities that lived in the area between 17,000 and 24,000 years ago.
When DNA was compared to modern humans, it was revealed that the person was highly similar to Native Americans. On the other hand, no physical remains of the woman were found, except for the chromosomes.
So how is this DNA extracted from a tiny necklace piece?
The DNA of humans and all other living things is scattered around through sweat or skin cells. The DNA found in the necklace piece was actually one of the DNAs that got into the item in this way.
Scientists used a special chemical mixture to obtain the DNA in the necklace. This chemical mixture ‘washed’ the necklace at temperatures up to 90 degrees Celsius, allowing DNA to be obtained without any damage.
Moreover, this method was so successful that, according to Elena Essel of the Institute, the result was as if a human tooth had been sampled.
What can be done with the new method?
The team at the Max Planck Institute will now begin applying their new method to other previously discovered items and accessories. In this way, it will be aimed to unearth other details that have not been seen and learned in the past.
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