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AbstractThis study characterizes how Native Americans living on the Oregon coast used whales and small cetaceans prior to European contact. We present an original analysis of a large subsample (NISP = 1177) of archaeological cetacean remains from the Palmrose (35CLT47) site, and new identifications from the previously analyzed Par-Tee (35CLT20; NISP = 31) and Tahkenitch Landing (35DO130; NISP = 33) sites. Using zooarchaeological and biomolecular analyses we report species presence and modification patterns to characterize use. Gray (Eschrichtius robustus) and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) were the most commonly identified whale species and likely preferred source of food, oil, bone for tool manufacture, and possibly sinew. Dolphins and porpoises, especially harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), were a source of food and possibly bone for tool manufacture. While site inhabitants may have engaged in opportunistic hunting, the presence of species such as blue (Balaenoptera musculus) and Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) suggests collection of beached animals was also an important acquisition strategy. Our study demonstrates the value of: (1) biomolecular analyses for improved species identifications and understanding of species richness; and (2) thorough zooarchaeological analyses to fully understand dietary and cultural contributions of cetaceans to pre-contact lifeways on the Oregon coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Columbian Exchange resulted in a widespread movement of humans, plants and animals between the Old and New Worlds. The late 15th to early 16th century transfer of cattle from the Iberian Peninsula and Canary Islands to the Caribbean laid the foundation for the development of American creole cattle (Bos taurus) breeds. Genetic analyses of modern cattle from the Americas reveal a mixed ancestry of European, African and Indian origins. Recent debate in the genetic literature centers on the ‘African’ haplogroup T1 and its subhaplogroups, alternatively tying their origins to the initial Spanish herds, and/or from subsequent movements of taurine cattle through the African slave trade. We examine this problem through ancient DNA analysis of early 16th century cattle bone from Sevilla la Nueva, the first Spanish colony in Jamaica. In spite of poor DNA preservation, both T3 and T1 haplogroups were identified in the cattle remains, confirming the presence of T1 in the earliest Spanish herds. The absence, however, of “African-derived American” haplotypes (AA/T1c1a1) in the Sevilla la Nueva sample, leaves open the origins of this sub-haplogroup in contemporary Caribbean cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1968, a child's cranium was recovered from the banks of a northern Canadian river and held in a trust until the 'cold case' was reopened in 2005. The cranium underwent reanalysis at the Centre for Forensic Research, Simon Fraser University, using recently developed anthropological analysis, 'bomb-pulse' radiocarbon analysis, and forensic DNA techniques. Craniometrics, skeletal ossification, and dental formation indicated an age-at-death of 4.4 ± 1 year. Radiocarbon analysis of enamel from two teeth indicated a year of birth between 1958 and 1962. Forensic DNA analysis indicated the child was a male, and the obtained mitochondrial profile matched a living maternal relative to the presumed missing child. These multidisciplinary analyses resulted in a legal identification 41 years after the discovery of the remains, highlighting the enormous potential of combining radiocarbon analysis with anthropological and mt DNA analyses in producing confident personal identifications for forensic cold cases dating to within the last 60 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a simple and effective approach to simultaneously co-amplify both cytochrome b and D-loop fragments to evaluate DNA preservation and to monitor possible contaminations in the analysis of degraded animal DNA samples. We have applied this approach to over 200 ancient salmon samples and 25 ancient whale DNA samples, clearly demonstrating its multiple benefits for analysis of degraded DNA samples, and the ease in which co-amplification can be optimized for different taxa. This simple, cost-efficient and genomic DNA-saving approach can be used routinely in the analysis of minute and degraded DNA samples in wildlife forensics, food inspection, conservation biology and ancient faunal remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the amplification of human mitochondrial DNA. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification; Positive amplifications of negative controls; Sequence of PCR products; Levels of contamination; Sensitivity of PCR amplification.

Presents a method used in the extraction of polymerase chain reaction-amplifiable deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from ancient bones. Advent of polymerase chain reaction; Analysis of the extraction protocol; Success of extraction protocols; Results of tests conducted.