Ancient nuclear genomes enable repatriation of Indigenous human remains

Extraction and Analysis of Ancient DNA from Human Remains of Masjede Kabood Burial Site

Analysis of ancient human genomes

High-capacity sequencing technologies have dramatically reduced both the cost and time required to generate complete human genome sequences. Besides expanding our knowledge about existing diversity, the nature of these technologies makes it possible to extend knowledge in yet another dimension: time. Recently, the complete genome sequence of a 4,000-year-old human from the Saqqaq culture of Gre...

Two ancient human genomes reveal Polynesian ancestry among the indigenous Botocudos of Brazil

Understanding the peopling of the Americas remains an important and challenging question. Here, we present (14)C dates, and morphological, isotopic and genomic sequence data from two human skulls from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, part of one of the indigenous groups known as 'Botocudos'. We find that their genomic ancestry is Polynesian, with no detectable Native American component. Radio...

Remains of ancient rituals and celebrations in Horaman-Kurdistan

Digital Repatriation: Virtual Museum Partnerships with Indigenous Peoples

The University of Texas and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian have had experience working together on virtual museum projects that bring indigenous people to the museum for the purpose of “digitally repatriating” important cultural items. The initial virtual museum project provided a strategy for cultural responsive teaching in American Indian schools. They also provided a ...