Uncovering the Mystery of Who was Eaten: How DNA Barcoding is Changing the Way We Look at History
Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have enabled scientists to identify the species of an animal found in a person’s stomach without examining the animal itself. This technique, known as DNA barcoding, has recently been used to identify the species of an animal that was eaten by a person who lived over 5,000 years ago.
The remains of the person were found in a Neolithic cemetery in Bulgaria, and analysis of their stomach contents found evidence of a small animal that had been consumed. Using DNA barcoding, scientists were able to determine that the animal was an edible dormouse, one of the most commonly eaten animals in the Neolithic period. This discovery provides new insights into the diet of people living in this period, and shows the potential of DNA barcoding to unlock secrets from the past.
source: Phys.org