Archaeogenetics is a quickly growing field in science. It has led to many new discoveries, which have changed our understanding of the past and even of the future. Scientists use ancient DNA, or aDNA, to learn more about ancient diseases, how we have adapted, and to discover new branches of the tree of humanity. But despite its rapid growth and newfound popularity, there are still some setbacks that are difficult to overcome.
aDNA can be used to study ancient forms of disease. Recently, a group of researchers discovered where the devastating bubonic plague originated using archaeogenetics. Using traces of aDNA left in teeth, they have the earliest recorded plague victims; in Kyrgyzstan, no less. This means, according to the scientists, that the bubonic plagues started there and spread throughout Europe along trade routes and ships. This is a revolutionary discovery that could help many scientific and historical fields. In the future, we could use aDNA to study even more diseases and better prepare for future plagues.
Studying aDNA can show us how humans and other species have developed. For example, there has been a lot of research regarding genetic markers in aDNA compared to modern humans. This could show us how we have adapted to different new environments in our most basic biological blueprints. It can also help us make predictions for how animals are likely to change in the future, given how they have adapted in the past.
We can also see how different things, like climate change, impact different species. Scientists have been able to compare aDNA to present DNA to see what changes have happened and hypothesize why. This can show us how different species have reacted to impacts on their environment, and we can predict how we will adapt in the future. Moreover, studying aDNA and making these predictions can help us realize how to best eradicate climate change.
Although this is a great field with promising discoveries, scientists have already run into some problems. One specific setback is the availability of aDNA in ancient organic organisms. Any processes that protect DNA when the organism is living don’t happen when the organism is dead. This means that it can become harder to find ancient DNA purely because of its scarcity. It is especially hard to find aDNA in cold climates, where the freezing causes the DNA to be destroyed.
Another problem that researchers constantly run into is the problem of contamination. aDNA is incredibly vulnerable to contamination, both from modern DNA and from other aDNA. For example, when testing aDNA from cattle bones, researchers found some traces of goat DNA. And if they are not wearing proper materials, scientists can easily taint the specimen themselves.
There have also been some ethical concerns that have been raised. Some people have said that testing human remains is unethical, because it would be disturbing ancient cultural and religious ceremonies. Moreover, there has been a famous case where indigenous people have complained that disturbing their ancient graves is offensive and disrespectful. Because of this, some guidelines have been set in place, including publishing a paper with the notice that scientists have tried their best to be respectful towards remains and holy sites. Only the future will tell if these problems will, or even can, be overcome.
Achaeogenetics is an interesting and rapidly expanding field. It is an excellent example of how two academic fields can come together and solve some of the world’s biggest mysteries. While there are many concerns to conquer, there have already been extremely valuable discoveries made. This includes the discovery of ancient diseases and adaptations. Looking towards these discoveries, we can make predictions about the future of humans and other animals. With our fingers on the pulse of the past, we can look towards the future.
- Dalal, V., Pasupuleti, N., Chaubey, G., Rai, N. and Shinde, V. (2023). Advancements and Challenges in Ancient DNA Research: Bridging the Global North–South Divide. Genes, [online] 14(2), p.479. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14020479.
- CORDIS, cordis.europa.eu (2015). Ancient DNA and climatic change: new perspectives from insular environments. [online] CORDIS | European Commission. Available at: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/300854/reporting [Accessed 23 May 2025].
- Magazine, S. and Kuta, S. (2022). Where Did the Black Death Start? Thanks to Ancient DNA, Scientists May Have Answers. [online] Smithsonian Magazine. Available at: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/black-death-ancient-dna-180980275/.
