Testing less destructive sampling techniques for DNA identification of manufactured animal material from archaeological sites.

Acronym: DIMAMAS

Collaborators: Gontran Sonet (JEMU-RBINS), Quentin Goffette (RBINS), R. Vanmechelen (Direction Opérationnelle Zone Centre, Agence wallonne du Patrimoine, Namur, Belgium)

Year: 2019

Summary: This Project aims at testing non- and less destructive sampling techniques of DNA extraction on artifacts that are made of animal material and coming from archaeological sites or heritage collections. The project will focus on ivory, teeth and bones artifacts. These are generally sensitive objects whose destructive analysis considerably decrease the value. Non-destructive sampling techniques (soaking, rubbing) that are used for ancient DNA identification will be first tested on non-manufactured animal material from archaeological sites such as bones and ivory to evaluate their effectiveness on old material. If the results are negative, less destructive techniques could be tested, such as very fine drilling. As a second step, successful sampling procedures will be applied to archaeological artifacts.

Output: