Understanding human history has mystified me. You might ask why – I don’t necessarily think we have a clear understanding of evolution based on limited archaeological evidence. As a result, we often see in museums depictions of human societies from ancient times – but in reality, we have a very limited understanding of these complex societies. After all, they must have figured out proper hygiene, cooking techniques, housing, sanitation and more in order for all of us to be here. And yet, we have little understanding on the complexities of their lives.

David Reich’s Who We Are and How We Got Here attempts to unpack some of these questions by using Ancient DNA (aDNA) to help piece together our complex history as a species.

Who is David Reich?

David Reich is a geneticist, professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. He is known for his research on the genetic history of human populations, using ancient DNA to study the evolution and migration of human populations. He has published extensively in scientific journals and his research has been widely covered in the media. In addition to his academic research, Reich is also an advocate for the responsible use of genetic data and the ethical implications of genetic research.

Reich’s research has led to many important discoveries in the field of human population genetics, including the discovery that present-day Europeans are the descendants of three ancient populations, the identification of a previously unknown ancient population, and the discovery of a previously unknown migration of people from Siberia to the Americas.

What is Ancient DNA?

Ancient DNA (aDNA) is DNA that has been extracted from biological samples that are hundreds to thousands of years old. These samples can include bones, teeth, hair, mummified remains, and other fossilized materials. The extraction and analysis of ancient DNA has revolutionized the field of genetics, allowing scientists to study the genetic makeup of ancient populations and learn more about their evolution, migration, and relationships to modern populations.

The process of extracting ancient DNA is challenging and requires specialized techniques to overcome the damage and degradation that has occurred over time. The DNA is typically fragmented and degraded, and often contains contaminants such as bacteria and fungi. The extraction process must be carefully controlled to avoid cross-contamination with modern DNA and to preserve the integrity of the ancient DNA.

Once the ancient DNA is extracted, scientists use various techniques to analyze the genetic information. These techniques include PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which is used to amplify specific regions of the DNA, and sequencing, which is used to determine the order of the DNA’s base pairs.

The analysis of ancient DNA has provided important insights into human history and evolution. For example, it has allowed scientists to study the genetic makeup of ancient populations and learn more about their migration patterns, relationships to modern populations, and the spread of diseases. Additionally, it has also allowed scientists to study the genetic diversity and evolution of animals, plants, and other organisms, and to understand how they have adapted to changing environmental conditions over time.

How Has aDNA Revolutionized Our Way of Understanding Human History?

One of the major ways in which ancient DNA has revolutionized our understanding of human history is by providing new insights into human migration. By analyzing the genetic makeup of ancient populations, scientists have been able to trace the movements of human populations over thousands of years and learn more about how different human populations have interacted and interbred. This has led to a more complex and nuanced understanding of human migration and the spread of human populations around the world.

Another way ancient DNA has revolutionized our understanding of human history is by providing new insights into human evolution. By analyzing the genetic makeup of ancient populations, scientists have been able to study the evolutionary relationships between different human populations and learn more about how human populations have evolved over time. This has led to a more complex and nuanced understanding of human evolution, challenging the traditional view that human populations have evolved in a linear fashion from a single ancestral population.

Ancient DNA has also provided new insights into the history of human disease. By analyzing the genetic makeup of ancient populations, scientists have been able to study the evolution and spread of diseases and learn more about how human populations have adapted to different diseases over time. This has led to a deeper understanding of the history of human health and disease and has important implications for the public.

What is the Future of aDNA?

The future of ancient DNA (aDNA) research is expected to bring even more exciting discoveries and advancements, as the technology and methods used to extract and analyze ancient DNA continue to improve. Some potential areas of focus for future research include:

1. Increasing the temporal and geographic scope of aDNA studies: As technology improves, scientists will be able to extract and analyze DNA from even older and more degraded samples, allowing them to study human populations and other organisms from further back in time and from more remote locations.
2. Advancing our understanding of human evolution: As scientists continue to analyze the DNA of ancient populations, they will be able to build a more detailed and accurate picture of human evolution and the relationships between different human populations.
3. Using aDNA to study the history of diseases: Scientists will continue to use aDNA to study the evolution and spread of diseases, which will provide valuable insights into the history of human health and disease and help to inform public health policy and practice.
4. Using aDNA to understand the interactions between humans and the environment: The future of aDNA research will also allow scientists to study the interactions between human populations and their environment over time. This will provide valuable insights into how human populations have adapted to changing environmental conditions, and how human activities have impacted the environment.
5. Forensic and legal applications: Ancient DNA will have a great impact in forensic science and legal applications, it can provide new ways of identifying individuals from crime scenes, historical or archaeological remains, or missing persons