To curate the molecular past, museums need a carefully considered set of best practices

Austin, Rita M.; Sholts, Sabrina B.; Williams, LaShanda; Kistler, Logan; Hofman, Courtney A.

doi:10.1073/pnas.1822038116

Cited by 36 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Although a presumed pathogen may be associated with a well-dated burial assemblage (e.g., Y. pestis at East Smithfield cemetery, London, UK), the level of infection at death and the burial conditions will impact the relative abundance and detectability of ancient pathogen DNA within each skeletal element. Because yields of pathogen ancient DNA can be low even in optimal sites for recovery, there are ethical ramifications that need to be carefully considered prior to beginning the work [21]. Relatively little attention has thus far been paid to the sheer bulk of finite, irreplaceable resources required in obtaining the genome sequences of ancient pathogens.…”

Section: Pathogen Dna Detection Skeletal Lesions and Disease Identifmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the evident advances stemming from ancient DNA, it is also clear that increased efforts to include additional disciplines (e.g., historians and ethicists) and stakeholders (e.g., descendants, relatives or community relations and museums) are needed for the true value of ancient pathogen genomes to be properly contextualized [21]. In particular, an immediate challenge that we will discuss below is how to place genetic evidence into a more inclusive and expansive historical context, augmented by climatological, evolutionary and archaeological frameworks [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Recovery, Interpretation and Use of Ancient Pathogen Genomes

Duchêne

Carmichael

et al. 2020

Current Biology

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The ability to sequence genomes from ancient biological material has provided a rich source of information for evolutionary biology and engaged considerable public interest. Although most studies of ancient genomes have focused on vertebrates, particularly archaic humans, newer technologies allow the capture of microbial pathogens and microbiomes from ancient and historical human and non-human remains. This coming of age has been made possible by techniques that allow the preferential capture and amplification of discrete genomes from a background of predominantly host and environmental DNA. There are now near-complete ancient genome sequences for three pathogens of considerable historical interest-premodern bubonic plague (Yersinia pestis), smallpox (Variola virus) and cholera (Vibrio cholerae)-and for three equally important endemic human disease agents-Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis), Mycobacterium leprae (leprosy) and Treponema pallidum pallidum (syphilis). Genomic data from these pathogens have extended earlier work by paleopathologists. There have been efforts to sequence the genomes of additional ancient pathogens, with the potential to broaden our understanding of the infectious disease burden common to past populations from the Bronze Age to the early 20 th century. In this review we describe the state-of-the-art of this rapidly developing field, highlight the contributions of ancient pathogen genomics to multidisciplinary endeavors and describe some of the limitations in resolving questions about the emergence and long-term evolution of pathogens.

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Section: Pathogen Dna Detection Skeletal Lesions and Disease Identifmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Recovery, Interpretation and Use of Ancient Pathogen Genomes

Duchêne

Carmichael

et al. 2020

Current Biology

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“…Ancient DNA may also be readily extracted from a wide range of museum specimens containing biological material from domestic animals [241][242][243]. However, it is important that minimally or non-destructive sampling methods are employed for these items, many of which are literally irreplaceable [244,245]. Novel sources of aDNA such as avian eggshells and feathers [246], animal glues [247] and parchment made from processed livestock skins [248,249] will likely have a major impact on archaeogenetics studies of domestic animals.…”

Section: Forward To the Past: The Outlook For Archaeogenetics In Domementioning

confidence: 99%

Unlocking the origins and biology of domestic animals using ancient DNA and paleogenomics

2019

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Animal domestication has fascinated biologists since Charles Darwin first drew the parallel between evolution via natural selection and human-mediated breeding of livestock and companion animals. In this review we show how studies of ancient DNA from domestic animals and their wild progenitors and congeners have shed new light on the genetic origins of domesticates, and on the process of domestication itself. High-resolution paleogenomic data sets now provide unprecedented opportunities to explore the development of animal agriculture across the world. In addition, functional population genomics studies of domestic and wild animals can deliver comparative information useful for understanding recent human evolution.

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“…Eva Fernandez Dominguez talked about the need for ethics protocols of sampling human remains, of publishing them, and not least of designing good collaborations across disciplines. At the moment, there are no specific ethical guidelines for DNA sampling, or for curation (see Austin et al 2019). Finally, Erika Hagelberg presented a less talked about topic: disagreements regarding methods, or research questions within the field of genetics itself.…”

Section: A Cambridge Workhop and The Root-seekersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Who are we as historical beings? Shaping identities in light of the archaeogenetics ‘revolution’

Ion

2019

CSA

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There is a human fundamental need to know who we are and where we come from. In an age when myths, legends and family memories are starting to fade or become obsolete, science is brought in to fill the gaps and answer these questions. This article introduces a special theme section dedicated to critical reflections on the relationship between the disciplines of archaeology and archaeogenetics. It gives a summary of the ‘Can science accommodate multiple ontologies? The genetics revolution and archaeological theory’ workshop held in Cambridge 2018, followed by an introduction of the papers in this theme section. Lastly, I evaluate archaeogenetic narratives in terms of their target audience, knowledge obtained (or not) and future directions.

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To curate the molecular past, museums need a carefully considered set of best practices

Cited by 36 publications

References 16 publications

The Recovery, Interpretation and Use of Ancient Pathogen Genomes

The Recovery, Interpretation and Use of Ancient Pathogen Genomes

Unlocking the origins and biology of domestic animals using ancient DNA and paleogenomics

Who are we as historical beings? Shaping identities in light of the archaeogenetics ‘revolution’

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