Investigating the genetic prehistory of the New World Arctic
Members of the Department of Archaeology, and the late Prof. Priscilla Renouf, were among an international team of researchers who co-authored a recent article in the prestigious journal Science investigating the .
This large-scale ancient DNA study utilized 169 samples of human remains from archaeological sites across the Arctic (Siberia to Greenland), which included the remains of Middle Dorset people who occupied Newfoundland (~2800-1000 years BP). This study has effectively demonstrated that the Dorset people were part of a genetically isolated but continuous population across the Canadian Arctic, and it has set the stage for the development of new and exciting research in Arctic archaeology.
The ground-breaking research has been extensively covered through a number of international news agencies:
- National Geographic:
- Toronto Star:
- New York Times:
- BBC: