Search Results - (Author, Cooperation:P. Francalacci)

2013-08-03

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

0036-8075

1095-9203

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Computer Science

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

Adult ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/*classification/*genetics ; European Continental Ancestry Group/*genetics ; *Evolution, Molecular ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Italy ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

0305-4403

Arene Candide (Liguria) ; Epigravettian ; Middle Neolithic ; Trace elements ; discriminant analysis ; palaeonutrition

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect 1907 - 2002

Archaeology

Electronic Resource

1824-310X

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Biology

Electronic Resource

1824-310X

Ancient DNA analysis ; Methodology ; Molecular Evolution

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Biology

Abstract The recovery, amplification and sequencing of nucleic acids from ancient smaples opens new possibilities in many different fields, such as anthropology, archeaology, population genetics, animal and plant evolutionary studies, and forensic medicine. The sample processing for DNA extraction and PCR amplification represents the most delicate phase of ancient DNA analysis, with a major impact on the reproducibility and reliability of the results. In this paper some extraction protocols are reviewed and discussed, with particular reference to the removal of the inhibitory substances usually present in extract from ancient tissues. The effect of contamination from extraneous DNA, a possible source of misleading results, is discussed and guidelines to detect and circumvent the problem are given.

Electronic Resource

1824-310X

trace elements ; diagenesis ; Arabic peninsula ; fish-eaters

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Biology

Abstract Trace elements analysis, as an indicator of ancient diets, has been carried out to the human skeletal remains from the necropolis of RH5 and RH10 of Qurum (Sultanate of Oman, 3700–3200 B.C.). Soil samples from the inner part of the burials, shells, fish, turtles and herbivorous remains have been analyzed. Regarding the human bones, a first set (ribs) was related to 26 females and 41 males while a second set (femurs) was related to 22 females and 34 males. Four trace elements, among the most common indicators of diet, have been taken into consideration (barium, strontium, zinc and copper) for their stability to diagenetic effects. Manganese has been analyzed to determine the incidence of diagenesis. Data from the two sets of human bones show a narrower range of values for the femurs than for the the ribs, in agreement with a lower incidence of diagenesis in compact bones. A wider range of values from the animal samples show a higher incidence of diagenetic effects in these remains. Low levels of variability can be stressed for the soil samples. Post-mortem exchange could have more likely occurred in the outer parts of spongy bones, as manganese seems to show. The wide range of values from the ribs and, on the contrary, the narrow range from the femur indicate that an accurate choice of sample can reduce the effects of diagenesis. Regarding the alimentary habits of the groups from Qurum, the human samples (both males and females) show high rates of strontium, similar to the herbivorous. This could be associated to an aquatic diet. It is unlikely that the high levels of strontium could be linked to a high incidence of vegetables in the diet. Also archeological data seem to stress a prevalence of aquatic food in the diet. Not always do statistical analyses applied to groups with different anthropological or chronological characteristics give clear answers to the identification of ranges of values, but they have always been a valid support for the interpretation of data.

Electronic Resource