Uncovering the lost world of New Zealand from fossil bone DNA
7/10/2018 02:30:00 PM
Curtin University researchers have used DNA from fossil bones to reconstruct the past biodiversity of New Zealand, revealing a history of extinctions and biodiversity decline since human arrival there about 750 years ago.
The research, which was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, characterised DNA preserved in fragmented and unidentifiable bones from across New Zealand.
By comparing bones excavated from caves that predate human arrival with bones from ancient human kitchen waste (or middens), the researchers were able to characterise the biodiversity that had been lost in New Zealand.
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https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2018/07/uncovering-lost-world-of-new-zealand.html#3FfiFIeRjh6CGvYl.99
