Ancient DNA preservation in the Caribbean

Abstract Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis has transformed how we study human migration, species dispersals and environmental change, but poor preservation remains a major challenge. This is especially true in tropical settings, where hot and humid conditions accelerate DNA decay. Because aDNA work is destructive, knowing how long DNA survives and under what conditions is crucial for selecting samples likely to yield meaningful data while minimizing damage. Here, we analyse low-coverage shotgun data from over 300 human samples from 33 archaeological sites (3300–400 cal. BP) in the Caribbean to evaluate the effects of sample age, sample type and burial context on DNA preservation. Preservation varied markedly both between and within sites, with sample type and burial context exerting strong effects. Macroscopic inspection, though imperfect, proved a useful first line predictor of molecular preservation. Decay-rate modelling indicates that DNA decays roughly 4× faster in the Caribbean than in temperate regions and about 14× faster than in subpolar settings. Under these conditions we predict that recovery from remains significantly older than approximately 5000 years will be challenging. Encouragingly, this window encompasses most of the region's human history, indicating that much of it remains accessible to aDNA analysis, provided suitable samples can be found and appropriate excavation and post-excavation protocols are followed.

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Publication Details

Journal
Royal Society Open Science
Published
2026-09-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.260217
Primary Topic
Forensic and Genetic Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Ancient DNA preservation in the Caribbean

Miren Iraeta-Orbegozo, Jazmín Ramos‐Madrigal, Yadira Chinique de Armas, Jason E. Laffoon et al.
Royal Society Open Science
Forensic and Genetic Research
article

Ancient DNA preservation in the Caribbean

Miren Iraeta-Orbegozo, Jazmín Ramos‐Madrigal, Yadira Chinique de Armas, Jason E. Laffoon, Kathrin Nägele, William C. Schaffer, Armando Rangel Rivero, Morten E. Allentoft, Carlos Arredondo Antúnez, María A. Nieves-Colón, Dorothea Mylopotamitaki, Zara Ali, Patrice Courtaud, Carsten Wiuf, Robert Carr, Hannes Schroeder, Anne C. Stone, Marcela Sandoval‐Velasco, Peter E. Siegel, Thomas Romon, Jane S. Day, William Pestle
article en

Abstract

Abstract Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis has transformed how we study human migration, species dispersals and environmental change, but poor preservation remains a major challenge. This is especially true in tropical settings, where hot and humid conditions accelerate DNA decay. Because aDNA work is destructive, knowing how long DNA survives and under what conditions is crucial for selecting samples likely to yield meaningful data while minimizing damage. Here, we analyse low-coverage shotgun data from over 300 human samples from 33 archaeological sites (3300–400 cal. BP) in the Caribbean to evaluate the effects of sample age, sample type and burial context on DNA preservation. Preservation varied markedly both between and within sites, with sample type and burial context exerting strong effects. Macroscopic inspection, though imperfect, proved a useful first line predictor of molecular preservation. Decay-rate modelling indicates that DNA decays roughly 4× faster in the Caribbean than in temperate regions and about 14× faster than in subpolar settings. Under these conditions we predict that recovery from remains significantly older than approximately 5000 years will be challenging. Encouragingly, this window encompasses most of the region's human history, indicating that much of it remains accessible to aDNA analysis, provided suitable samples can be found and appropriate excavation and post-excavation protocols are followed.

Royal Society Open ScienceVol. 13(9)
Leiden University (NL), University of Copenhagen (DK), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), University of Minnesota (US), Université de Bordeaux (FR), Montclair State University (US), Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México (MX), Curtin University (AU), University of Applied Sciences Leiden (NL), University of Havana (CU), Archaeological Conservancy (US), Twin Cities Orthopedics (US), Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (DE), National Museum of Archaeology (BO), Department of Mathematical Sciences (RU), Department of Archaeology (LK), Phoenix College (US), Arizona State University (US), Florida Atlantic University (US), The University of Winnipeg (CA), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (MX)
Danmarks Grundforskningsfond, Københavns Universitet, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond, Novo Nordisk Fonden, European Research Council
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Forensic and Genetic Research
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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