Methods:
Case:
DNA Analysis of Ancient Roman Skeletal
Remains
Sample
cleaned &
prepped
Investigators:
Miss Victoria A. Barlow (3rd Year PhD Student)
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences
Sample
pulverised
in
freezermill
Contact: [email protected]
Dr Eleanor A.M. Graham
Contact: [email protected]
Background:
Vindolanda is an archaeological dig site near
Hadrian’s Wall dating back to the early Roman
occupation. Two of their excavated samples have
been submitted for forensic analysis to determine if
nuclear DNA can still be extracted and amplified.
Mitochondrial DNA would usually be sought in
cases of this age but is of lower information content.
Exhibits submitted for DNA Analysis:
Sample 1 – ‘Human Femur from ditch’ circa 110AD
Body found mixed with
rubbish in a ditch
leading to suspicion of
unnatural death,
possibly murder
Sample 2 – ‘Human tooth from Skull’ circa 208AD
Skull shows extensive peri-mortem
injury. Body was decapitated and
exhibits evidence of mounting
on a spear as a warning sign
Date: 3 rd April 2015
Signature: Victoria Barlow
DNA
extracted
from
powder
DNA
amplified &
visualised
Strict anticontamination measures were followed
throughout processing
Summary of case results:
• Nuclear DNA was detected in both samples
• Both samples are biologically male
• Partial DNA profiles were obtained for both
samples using forensic DNA amplification kits
• Initial DNA results indicate the geographic
origin of both samples is European
• DNA from the femur has been authenticated
through comparison with mitochondrial DNA
work carried out at York University
Current work:
DNA extracts from both the femur and tooth have
been sent for next generation sequencing using
Illumina’s ForenSeq Signature kit, which contains
both ancestry and phenotypic markers that can be
used to accurately determine biogeographic origin.
Date: 3 rd April 2015
Signature: Victoria Barlow
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