Ancient DNA: a review of its past, present and future potential in archaeology

Abstract

This paper provides an extensive review of past and current research involving the biomolecular analysis of nucleic acids. In particular, it focuses on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ancient DNA that can be recovered from historic and prehistoric human skeletal remains and other archaeological material remains. It also critically assesses the problems that any investigation of ancient DNA poses and points to specific areas for future investigation.