Multiple sequence alignments of newly reconstructed and published cervid and human mtDNA

Assigning prehistoric objects to specific individuals is usually
impossible outside of burial contexts. Here we present a non-destructive
method for gradually releasing DNA from ancient bone and tooth artifacts.
Application of the method to an Upper Paleolithic deer tooth pendant from
Denisova Cave (Russia) resulted in the recovery of DNA from both the deer
and a female human individual. Genetic dates obtained from the deer and
human mitochondrial genomes estimate the age of the pendant at
approximately 20,000 to 24,000 years. Nuclear DNA from its presumed maker
or wearer shows strong affinities to contemporaneous Ancient North
Eurasian individuals previously found further east in Siberia. Our work
opens up new possibilities for linking cultural and genetic records in
prehistoric archaeology.