Transforming prehistory: what has been the impact of biomolecular archaeology for studying the transition to farming in Europe?
Oliver Edward Craig BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York
Here I will review some of the ways that the analysis of ancient biomolecules is revolutionising our understanding of the major economic and so-cial transitions in prehistory. Methods for the ex-traction of organic molecules, such as DNA, pro-teins and lipids, from skeletal remains, artefacts and soils have become very sophisticated in recent years. Widespread application to address important and pertinent questions, such as how farming beca-me established in different regions has now begun in earnest. I will discuss some of the latest research to emerge from Europe focusing on the demo-graphic, cultural and dietary transition to farming in the Neolithic period. Now seems like a good time to assess the achievements made so far and to see how we can maximise the impact for the future, especially as the objectives of cultural and scienti-fic archaeologists finally begin to converge.
TRANSFORMING PREHISTORY: WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT OF BIOMOLECULAR ARCHEOLOGY FOR STUDYING THE TRANSITION TO FARMING IN EUROPE?.pdf