A flock of sheep,goats and cattle: ancient DNA analysis reveals complexities of historical parchment manufacture |
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| Authors: | Michael G Campana Mim A Bower Melanie J Bailey Frauke Stock Tamsin C O'Connell Ceiridwen J Edwards Caroline Checkley-Scott Barry Knight Matthew Spencer Christopher J Howe |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DZ, UK;2. McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3ER, UK;3. University of Surrey Ion Beam Centre, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK;4. Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland;5. Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, University of Oxford, Dyson Perrins Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK;6. The John Rylands University Library, University of Manchester, 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH, UK;g Collection Care Department, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB, UK;h School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK;i Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK |
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| Abstract: | Parchments comprise one of the most common and valuable sources of archaeological and historical data. Previous studies have shown that parchment also preserves genetic data. These data could be valuable for population studies, to understand past animal husbandry, the development of breeds and varieties and to comment on the provenance of parchments. To improve our understanding of DNA contained in parchments, we analysed genetic data, including both mitochondrial and autosomal loci, from 18th to 19th century English parchments which stable isotope analysis had indicated were well-preserved. DNA results were unexpected. All but one of the parchments produced multiple sequences matching several different species. Ion beam analysis ruled out surface treatments of the parchments (including ink and animal glues) as the origin of these multiple sequences. Our results suggest that the DNA content of parchment is more complex than previous research has suggested and that multiple stages of parchment manufacture, treatment and storage are preserved in parchment DNA extracts. |
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| Keywords: | Ancient DNA Historic DNA Parchment Skin materials DNA preservation Jumping PCR |
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