Inferring Relatedness, Identity, and Cultural Affiliation from Ancient DNA- DNA and Indigeneity Symposium

Recent advances in genomic technologies have made it increasingly feasible to collect genetic data from ancient human remains. This presentation will consider: 1) the benefits and risks of using ancient DNA to establish cultural affiliation and substantiate repatriation or land claims; and 2) the importance of grounding such claims in what we know more generally about human genetic diversity. This presentation will explore a key question: What do—and don’t—genetic analyses tell us about relatedness, identity, and shared culture? Dr. Deborah Bolnick is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin.