Zooarchaeology and Ancient DNA

Abstract

The study of ancient DNA is inextricably linked to zooarchaeology. From the first published paper on museum quagga ( Equus quagga ) material through to the first extinct genome of cave bear ( Ursus spelaeus ) and beyond, the ready availability of zooarchaeological specimens has been a boon to researchers. It is particularly important to note that, almost invariably, advances in ancient DNA research are pioneered using zooarchaeological material before being put to use in analyses of human archaeological and paleoanthropological remains. This entry provides a condensed history of the use of ancient DNA in zooarchaeology and some examples of the questions that can be addressed through these techniques.