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Anatomical, cellular and molecular analysis of 8,000-yr-old human brain tissue from the Windover archaeological site

Nature volume 323, pages 803–806 (1986)Cite this article

Abstract

Recovery and analysis of ancient tissue and bone of human origin has long been extensively investigated. Only recently, however, has it been technically possible to recover genetic material from ancient human1 and animal2 samples. As both previous studies involved dried tissue, it is important to determine whether other conditions may also preserve ancient tissue and genetic material. We describe here an analysis of preserved human bone and soft matter discovered in 1984–85 buried in a small swampy pond in central Florida. The recovered skeletal material represented a minimum of 40 individuals of both sexes and various ages. Corrected radiocarbon dates directly from bone and from peat matrix gave consistent ages in the range of 7,790 to 8,290 yr before present (BP). Nine individuals with intracranial soft matter were recovered and, in five of these, material recognizable as preserved or replaced brain tissue was present. Further analysis demonstrated gross anatomical features, remnant cellular structure and human DNA. As this find appears to be the oldest-known example of preserved human cell structure and DNA, it represents a significant resource for both anthropological and genetic studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, USA

    Glen H. Doran & David N. Dickel

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA

    William E. Ballinger Jr

  3. Department of Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA

    O. Frank Agee

  4. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA

    Philip J. Laipis

  5. Department of Immunology and Medical Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA

    William W. Hauswirth

Authors
  1. Glen H. Doran
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  2. David N. Dickel
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  3. William E. Ballinger Jr
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  4. O. Frank Agee
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  5. Philip J. Laipis
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  6. William W. Hauswirth
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Doran, G., Dickel, D., Ballinger, W. et al. Anatomical, cellular and molecular analysis of 8,000-yr-old human brain tissue from the Windover archaeological site. Nature 323, 803–806 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/323803a0

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