Assessing ancient DNA studies
Abstract
The study of ancient DNA has the potential to make significant and unique contributions to ecology and evolution. However, the techniques used contain inherent problems, particularly with regards to the generation of authentic and useful data. The solution currently advocated to reduce contamination and artefactual results is to adopt criteria for authentication. Nevertheless, these criteria are not foolproof, and we believe that they have, in practice, replaced the use of thought and prudence when designing and executing ancient DNA studies. We argue here that researchers in this field must take a more cognitive and self-critical approach. Specifically, in place of checking criteria off lists, researchers must explain, in sufficient enough detail to dispel doubt, how the data were obtained, and why they should be believed to be authentic.
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The use of stringent ancient DNA protocol, multiple genetic targets with 100% sequence homology to pathogenic targets and a cognitive approach to authentication of mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis, sex and familial relatedness results was used to ensure authenticity of the ancient DNA results.
“The use of stringent ancient DNA protocol, multiple genetic targets with 100% sequence homology to pathogenic targets and a cognitive approach to authentication of mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis, sex and familial relatedness results was used to ensure authenticity of our ancient DNA results [39].”
From Molecular Exploration of the First-Century Tomb of the Shroud in Akeldama, Jerusalem (2009) · cites this paper as [39]
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- Authors
- Gilbert, M. T. P., Bandelt, H.-J., Hofreiter, M., & Barnes, I.
- Affiliations
- University of Arizona (US)
- Universität Hamburg (DE)
- Max Planck Society (DE)
- University College London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Gilbert, M. Thomas P.
- Venue
- Trends in Ecology & Evolution
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2005-10
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 541-544
- ISSN
- 0169-5347 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2018483808
- Cited by
- 602
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 44 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 48
- FWCI
- 3.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trends in Ecology & Evolution (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
- MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Forensic and Genetic Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic diversity and population structure
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Keywords
- ancient DNA, contamination, artifacts, data reliability, research design, self-criticism, methodological quality
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