0000000000246631
AUTHOR
Susanne Hummel
showing 3 related works from this author
Palaeogenetics and cultural heritage. Species determination and STR-genotyping from ancient DNA in art and artefacts
2000
Abstract In recent years, a few papers have addressed the palaeogenetic analysis of cultural, historical and archaeological artefacts. We provide an overview of the individual published articles and then describe the results we had in the framework of a palaeogenetic research project involving various historical and prehistoric finds from museums, archaeological excavations, and libraries. We show that ancient DNA can be isolated from most of the various biomaterials (leather, parchment, glue, binding media, crusted organic plant remains in containers). Short pieces of degraded DNA are used, on the one hand, to determine the organic remnant’s genus/species of origin, and on the other hand, …
The selective advantage of cystic fibrosis heterozygotes tested by aDNA analysis: A preliminary investigation
2000
Recently a heterozygote advantage was suggested to explain the high incidence (1:25 carrier individuals in Europeans) of the cystic fibrosis gene. This selective advantage was speculated to be due to a high resistance to chloride-secreting diarrhea, including cholera. Up to now the major efforts to test directly this hypothesis have been limited to animal models.
Climbing into the past—first Himalayan mummies discovered in Nepal
2003
In a cave system in Mebrak (Mustang District, Western Nepal), a team of archaeologists investigating extensive abandoned settlements in the high Himalayas made an extraordinary discovery in 1995. One of the caves had been used as a community burial chamber from ca. 400 BC to 50 AD. Inside, approximately 30 naturally mummified bodies rested in bed-like wooden coffins exhibiting ornamental carving and elaborate painting. The dead had been furnished with a rich store of grave goods consisting of both personal ornaments and objects of daily life as well as the remains of domestic animals. Due to the favourable climatic conditions, all of the artefacts, which also include fur and textile garment…