PALEOPROTEOMICS APPLIED TO THE WAZIERS SITE

The ancient preserved molecules in bones offer the opportunity to gain a better knowledge on the biological past. In recent years, bones proteomics has become an attractive method to study extinct species and phylogenetic evolution as an alternative to DNA analysis which is limited by DNA amplification present in ancient samples and its contamination. The analysis of fossils must consume a low quantity of material to avoid damaging the samples. Another difficulty is the absence of genomic data for most of the extinct species. This study applied a proteomic methodology to mammalian bones of 130,000 / 120,000 years old from the last Chibanian and the earlier Upper Pleistocene site of Waziers (France). The presence of lithic artefacts and the traces of butchery observed on the bones indicate the presence of Neanderthal Man on this site. Starting from 5 milligram samples, our results show that most detected peptides match collagen I alpha 1 and alpha 2 proteins with a sequence coverage up to 60 %. Using sequence homology with modern sequences, a biological classification was successfully achieved. Each bone taxonomic rank by proteomics was consistent with the existing osteomorphological studies and palaeoenvironmental and palaeodietary data.