Amplification of mitochondrial DNA fragments from ancient human teeth and bones

We extracted and visualized DNA from ancient human teeth and bones of 150 to 5,500 years B.P. from three deposits from the south of France. The DNA extracted was used as template for PCR with specific primers corresponding to a portion of the human mitochondrial genome. In our samples, we have amplified a specific DNA fragment of 121 bp which, in the case of one bone of 150 years B.P. has been cloned and sequenced. We show that this sequence is identical to the homologous region of human mitochondrial DNA. The striking implications of this new method for archaeological and paleontological studies are exposed.