Joyce asked about the use of (ancient?) DNA in sexing bones..
At the risk of making a fool of myself by referring to humans (but I think the genetic
pattern being picked up is general for mammals) then the target is amelogenin, where the
PCR product from the X and Y chromosomes can be distinguished electrophoretically.
Ref:
Waldron, T., Taylor, G.M. & Rudling, D. (1999) Sexing of Romano-British baby burials from
the Beddingham and Bignor villas. Sussex Archaeological Collections. 137 71-79.
The key technical references appear to be:
Stone et al 1996 American Journal of Physical Anthropology 99 231-8
Sullivan et al Biotechniques 15 636-8; 640-1
Hope this helps
Liz
Dr Liz Somerville
Sub-Dean (Academic Affairs)
School of Biological Sciences
University of Sussex
Falmer
Brighton
BN1 9QG
Tel: 01273 877460
internal no: 7460
email:[log in to unmask]
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