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The genetical archaeology of the human genome

Nature Genetics volume 14, pages 135–140 (1996)Cite this article

Abstract

Palaentology and archaeology are disciplines that traditionally deal with the reconstruction of human origins and history. Recently, however, molecular genetics has come to make increasing contributions to this area. In particular, several data sets indicate that variation of the human gene pool originated in Africa within the last 200,000 years. Furthermore, the study of DNA sequences allows the detection of expansions in population size. Here we briefly summarize and exemplify how DNA sequences can be used to reconstruct the history of populations.

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Author notes

  1. Antti Sajantila

    Present address: Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Kytösuontie 11, FIN-00300, Helsinki, Finland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Zoology, University of Munich, PO Box 202136, D-80021, Munich, Germany

    Arndt von Haeseler & Svante Pääbo

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  1. Arndt von Haeseler
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Correspondence to Svante Pääbo.

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Haeseler, A., Sajantila, A. & Pääbo, S. The genetical archaeology of the human genome. Nat Genet 14, 135–140 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/ng1096-135

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