Inferring biological kinship in ancient datasets: comparing the response of ancient DNA-specific software packages to low coverage data.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The inference of biological relations between individuals is fundamental to understanding past human societies. Caregiving, resource sharing and sexual behaviours are often mediated by biological kinship and yet the identification and interpretation of kin relationships in prehistoric human groups is difficult. In recent years, the advent of archaeogenetic techniques have offered a fresh approach, and when combined with more traditional osteological and interpretive archaeological methods, allows for improved interpretation of the burial practices, cultural behaviours, and societal stratification in ancient societies. Although archaeogenetic techniques are developing at pace, questions remain as to their accuracy, particularly when applied to the low coverage datasets th

SUBMITTER: Marsh WA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10015695 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature