Biomolecular Archaeology
An Introduction
1. Edition February 2011
336 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
Short Description
Biomolecular Archaeology investigates how biomolecular evidence (DNA, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates) can be used to address important archaeological questions. Terry Brown and Keri Brown describe this remarkable revolution in the study of historic and prehistoric biological materials, and provide the fundamental tools for studying the preserved or 'ancient' biomolecules recovered from human, plant, and animal remains, and how researchers can thus recover valuable information about the evolution of human societies and the environments in which we live.
Illustrated thoroughly, Biomolecular Archaeology is the first book to clearly guide students through the study of ancient DNA: how to analyze biomolecular evidence (DNA, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates) to address important archaeological questions.
* The first book to address the scope and methods of this new cross-disciplinary area of research for archaeologists
* Offers a completely up-to-date overview of the latest research in this innovative subject
* Guides students who wish to become biomolecular archaeologists through the complexities of both the scientific methods and archaeological goals.
* Provides an essential component to undergraduate and graduate archaeological research
List of Tables
Preface
Part I: Biomolecules and How They Are Studied
Part II: Preservation and Decay of Biomolecules in Archaeological Specimens
Part III: The Applications of Biomolecular Archaeology
Glossary
Index
Keri Brown is Honorary Lecturer in Biomolecular Archaeology at the University of Manchester; she taught the M.Sc in Biomolecular Archaeology at Manchester and Sheffield Universities for 10 years. She has published articles in both Italian archaeology and ancient DNA.