Paleogenetics as Archeometrical Approach Over the Last 30 Years

Paleogenetics, the genetic study of organisms and populations of the past, became possible when the methods of molecular biology allowed the analysis of degraded DNA preserved in trace amounts in certain ancient biological remains, such as bones, teeth, hair or soft tissue of mummies. This has contributed significantly to archeology paleontology, paleopathology or paleoecology. Recently, the progress of DNA sequencing has brought about a new quantum leap of the field since next-generation sequencing allows the analysis of whole genomes of past organisms. This led to the revision of our view of the last stages of the evolution of humans and of the peopling of Eurasia and the Americas, but also of the domestication of animals and some plants, the evolution of wild populations in response to climate changes, the evolution of pathogens responsible for past epidemics, etc. Paleogenomics revolutionized already the idea we had about the recent evolution of our species, but it is legitimate to expect the field to make further important contributions to archeology