Ancient DNA shaking up our knowledge of the past

The use of DNA analysis is overturning a lot of cherished ideas dug up by archeologists...

Ancient DNA Tells Tales of Humans’ Migratory History 

Excellent summary of ancient DNA research:

Ancient DNA: the first three decades

Genes of ‘extinct’ Caribbean islanders found in living people

Jorge Estevez and other members of the Higuayagua Taino community dance at a festival in New York City. Taino groups have fought against the idea that indigenous Caribbean islanders died out after European contact.

Ancient DNA analysis reveals Minoan and Mycenaean origins

On islands in the Gulf of Alaska, ground squirrels are not a recent, human-mediated introduction (as previously thought) and may have colonized via a natural dispersal event or an ancient human translocation:

 Integrating archaeology and ancient DNA analysis to address invasive species colonization in the Gulf of Alaska

Evidence of human use of ground squirrels on Chirikof Island, Alaska: (a) parka created by Susan Malutin, Grace Harrod, and community volunteers for the Alutiiq Museum in 1999, with support from the Alaska State Museum grant-in-aid program (catalog number AM405; photo by Marnie Leist); (b) skeletal elements showing cut marks across the occipital condyle of the cranium; and (c) burning and calcification seen on a proximal femur, distal humerus, and proximal ulna.