The analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) from human remains has revolutionized our understanding of history. But millennia-old remains are rare, even at rich archaeological sites. Sediments, however, can contain human aDNA. Sedimentary aDNA thus has the potential to qualitatively enhance the geographical and temporal span of ancient human DNA data worldwide. Sedimentary aDNA can allow tracking, within a single locality, changes in human presence, population and behavior over time. This may be the key to fill gaps in our knowledge of our genetic history, such as why Neanderthals went extinct.
The field of sedimentary aDNA is still embryonic - much work is needed to fulfill its vast potential. We aim to develop aspects of sample collection, preparation, and analysis. Current methods to process sedimentary aDNA rely on analyzing single data points without directly accounting for the context in which they were sampled. Instead, we propose a holistic, maximum likelihood-based approach to reconstruct the past using sedimentary aDNA. The novel algorithms developed here will be packaged in freely-available, user-friendly software. Moreover, we will develop tools for locating aDNA-rich sediment samples in the field. This would allow the recovery of aDNA in a continuous, time-series fashion within a research site - a feat only achievable through sedimentary aDNA. As a byproduct of our methodological research, the sedimentary aDNA we shall analyze will itself play a part in the study of ancient human history.
Our primary outputs will be scientific manuscripts describing the new protocols and algorithms, as well as activities related to academic and public engagement. If successful, our pipeline for collecting and analyzing sedimentary aDNA will become an integral part of any archaeological investigation, and will open up the possibility to address novel questions about how our past still affects us today - in the context of our culture, our genetic identity, and our health.
