The Molecule Hunt: Archaeology and the Search for Ancient DNA [Paperback]

The imaging of the DNA molecule opened new portals for explaining life's progress. Once it was understood DNA can change, sometimes at a calculable rate, tracking the modifications became a new analysis tool. "Markers" on the molecule can be studied and placed in a chronological context. Jones manages to explain both the markers and the analysis techniques in clear, jargon-free prose. It's not an easy task, but he achieves it admirably.

Through much of this book, the "Jurassic Park" image remains a running theme. DNA from insects embedded in amber, however, proved an illusory quest. Although the insect bodies appeared intact, close inspection revealed the DNA was shattered long ago. Still further [and rather later] investigation resulted in some unexpected surprises - the insects didn't contain dinosaur DNA, but that of residents in their own guts. More than gut bacterial DNA survived- the entire organism was still living after millions of years.

The journey from "Jurassic Park" to realistic analysis has not been a smooth, linear path. Jones explains how new finds led to various theories of human evolution and migration with resultant cultural developments. The rise of agriculture was long held to have originated in one place, then spread across the planet. Molecular analysis techniques demonstrated the fallacy of that idea, Jones explains, revealing the evidence demonstrating the emergence of farming in various places. China's history of rice production preceded by centuries the grains produced in the Tigris-Euphrates area. Many other "established" concepts have been refuted by various methods of molecular analysis. Each new "absolute" is described by Jones as if irrefutably established. Then he discards the dogma with a flourish of new data.

The most compelling chapter in the book takes us away from DNA, with its many limitations, to "the other molecules". In "beyond DNA", Jones describes these molecules and the many surprises proteins, lipids and even blood now offer. The unexpected persistence of these compounds in proper circumstances reveals an immense amount of data. Animal blood has been taken from stone weapons providing information on prey species. Certain proteins found in blood prove astonishingly persistent, Jones explains. Having mineral attachment properties, these proteins can be found in bones and provide additional dating tools.

Plant-related molecules such as silicon "phytoliths" which give grasses a sharp edge and seeds barbs for protection and propagation can provide useful information. These and other indicators are being found in ancient grindstones and stone tools such as scythes. Jones laments the loss of such material from the early days of archaeology when such artefacts were scrupulously cleaned prior to analysis. "Dirty" evidence is proving of immense value in dating and environment of locale.

Jones has provided us a compelling account of the annals of molecular analysis in human affairs. Of far greater importance than the history of this discipline are the opportunities for further research. Anyone pondering a career in any one of a number of fields related to the human past would do well to investigate this book. Jones explains that molecular analysis topics range from broad, general themes to individual events. These run from the human diaspora to the murder of the Romanovs. Surely there is something here to interest any budding scholar. Read this for a survey of the options and decide for yourself. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

This book is a fascinating and absorbing story of scientific inquiry. Keeping in mind that what is preserved for the scientist is in fosilized form and what DNA samples that they do get need specialized equipment and new field methods for getting the samples, essentially changing the way we think about archaeology.

This book is an easy read, largely helped by the author's prose making for a highly educational read about remarkable new techniques now available for investigation of our, human, past. DNA can be found in all life on the planet, extracting a sample from the past is extremely difficult. From seeds, wood, amber and even pot shards yeild a unique picture of the past as to what our diets consisted of and how we lived.

The author's enthusiasm for this subject is in evidence as the reader goes from chapter to chapter finding how molecular archaeology is in a scientific revolution making our concepts of the past change before our eyes. Stomach contents preserved in humans yields information about ancient diets.

This is an educational book as it shows how scientists, devising a molecular clock, from certain area of the DNA molecule, were able to determine that all humans descend from one common female ancestor... "The Mitochondrial Eve."

This is an all around good read as your eyes read, your brain will say I didn't know that they could do that... amazing as to what can be found out in molecular archaeology.