Ancient DNA has provided longitudinal insights into evolution and archaeological processes on an industrial scale in recent years. However, studies utilizing DNA from waterlogged environments have been somewhat left behind, often associated with poor biomolecular preservation. Breaking advances in our understanding of the DNA breakdown process are helping us to understand that we need to re-evaluate what we mean by ‘preservation’, and establishing a framework of expectation of DNA persistence in the sedimentary environment.

Location

Norcroft Centre, University of Bradford