Palaeogenomics of Extinct and Archaic Hominins

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

In recent years, the increased availability of genomic data generated from ancient human remains has revolutionized the study of the past, and enabled researchers to tackle a range of questions that previously were targeted almost exclusively by disciplines in the Humanities such as History and Archaeology. Importantly, results obtained through characterizing the genetics of archaic hominins including evidence for adaptation, admixture, past demography, sex determination, or social structure, can be correlated with morphological and archaeological observations drawn from the fossil record. Admixture, defined as the exchange of genes between previously isolated species or populations, is now considered to be an important source of variation among ancient human lineages. The palaeogenomic studies are unravelling the complex evolutionary patterns of the human lineages, showing multiple admixture events in different moments and regions, as well as providing information on adaptations to environmental conditions, past migrations, demographic trends, and social structures.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHandbook of Archaeological Sciences
EditorsMark Pollard, Ruth Ann Armitage, Cheryl A. Makarewicz
Number of pages10
Volume1
PublisherWiley-Interscience
Publication date2023
Edition2
Pages647-656
Chapter32
ISBN (Print)9781119592044, 9781394156832
ISBN (Electronic)9781119592112, 9781119592082
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

    Research areas

  • admixture events, ancient human lineages, archaeological observations, archaic hominins, human lineages, palaeogenomic studies, past demography, sex determination, social structure

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