Abstract

NIEVES-COLON, María A.; BLEVINS, Kelly E.; CONTRERAS-SIECK, Miguel Ángel  and  BRAVO LOPEZ, Miriam. Paleogenomics and bioarcheology in Mexico. Cuicuilco. Rev. cienc. antropol. [online]. 2021, vol.28, n.81, pp.187-223.  Epub Apr 04, 2022. ISSN 2448-8488.

Ancient dna has become an important tool for bioarchaeological research. Advances in laboratory and sequencing methods now make it possible to recover complete genomes from ancient human remains. The application of paleogenomics methods to the abundant cultural patrimony of Mexico holds great promise for addressing many questions of bioarcheological interest such as the study of ancient population diversity and paleopathology, among others. However, the study of ancient dna is inherently destructive and has irreversible consequences for the sustainable management of cultural resources. In this paper we present a brief overview of the history of ancient dna research and its application to Mexican bioarchaeology. We also discuss some of the ethical concerns surrounding destructive sampling and provide recommendations for conducting ethical and sustainable research with human skeletal remains in Mexican and Latin American contexts. We conclude with our thoughts regarding the future of the field of paleogenomics in Mexico.

Keywords : Ancient dna; paleogenomic; skeletal remains; ethical; sustainability.

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