Neanderthal DNA: not just old but old and cold?

Cooper, A., Collins, M.J., Smith, C.I., Chamberlain, A.T., Riley, M.S. and Stringer, C.B. (2001) Neanderthal DNA: not just old but old and cold? Nature. pp. 771-772. ISSN 0028-0836

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Abstract

[First paragraph]The successful retrieval of ancient DNA from two geographically dispersed Neanderthal skeletons has fuelled a demand for more Neanderthal DNA sequences for analysis. However, these exceptionally well-preserved specimens were geologically young and the mean annual temperature of their cave sites low, so the survival of this ancient DNA could have been due to unusually favourable conditions. Here we calculate the thermal history of a range of Holocene and Pleistocene bones whose DNA quality has been tested and find that in only very few sites with Neanderthal remains is the preservation of DNA likely to match the quality of that from the skeleton found at Mezmaiskaya Cave. We recommend that any additional Neanderthal destined for destructive analysis should be carefully selected, taking into account its integrated thermal history.

Item Type:	Article
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information:	© 2001 Macmillan Magazines Ltd
Academic Units:	The University of York > Archaeology (York)
Depositing User:	Matthew J. Collins
Date Deposited:	04 Dec 2005
Last Modified:	19 Feb 2013 12:06
Published Version:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/35071177
Status:	Published
Refereed:	Yes
Related URLs:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/35071177
URI:	http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/804

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