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Above DNA analysis is allowing archaeologists to answer fundamental questions about past relationships. Here, we see the remains of Peder Winstrup, a bishop who founded Lund University, being studied in 2013. A major surprise was that the bishop was not alone in his coffin, and DNA analysis has helped to explain why.
Reconnecting relationships: uncovering genealogy in archaeology
Examining ancient DNA is revolutionising our knowledge of the past. Being able to detect family relationships is revealing ever more about connections between people buried in cemeteries and even individual coffins. Caroline Arcini introduces three cases where DNA evidence has opened new windows into past lives.
The discovery of DNA, the basis of life on earth, was one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs of all time. It is something we often hear about in our daily lives, as it can help tackle so many challenges, such as solving murders, identifying diseases, and finding long-lost relatives. DNA is also proving to be transformative for archaeology, as it promises solutions to questions about the past that were long thought unanswerable. Ancient DNA research has traditionally focused on the origin of populations, migration, and infectious diseases. Nowadays, this interest has been joined by a growing appreciation that using DNA to determine relationships between our ancient relatives can tell us
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