Unveiling the Past

From Fossils to Findings: The Cutting Edge of Ancient DNA Research explores how modern techniques are transforming our ability to study ancient genetic material. This talk covers recent advances in DNA extraction, sequencing, and authentication methods that allow us to recover and analyze genomes from fossils, bones, and other ancient samples. We’ll look at key discoveries in human evolution, pathogen history, and extinct species, showing how ancient DNA reshapes our understanding of the past. Finally, we’ll discuss current challenges in the field and the exciting future of this fast-evolving discipline at the intersection of archaeology, genetics, and computational science.

South Africa’s Cradle of Humankind holds important fossils of early human ancestors. New dating of cave rocks shows that sediments built up in phases between 3 and 1 million years ago. By studying ancient antelope bones with 3D models, researchers found that habitats varied but didn’t shift dramatically toward open grasslands. Another method, which examines tooth wear, suggests the environment stayed relatively stable. This means human evolution wasn’t driven by a sudden climate change, as once thought, but likely by other factors. These findings help us better understand the world our ancestors lived in.