Festival of Creative Learning: The analysis of ancient proteins: data analysis and interpretation

The analysis of ancient proteins is a growing technique in archaeological science, and is increasingly being applied to diverse and novel applications, including the phylogenetic reconstruction of extant and extinct species (including hominins), the identification of past human diseases, and understanding diet and subsistence in the past. This session will give an introduction to this technique, an overview of the core methodology, and summarize recent applications. Using archaeological data, the session will then introduce several key online tools for analysing ancient protein data and students will work through a practical exercise implementing these tools. No previous experience is required and the event is free.

Key readings:

• Cappellini, E., Collins, M. J. & Gilbert, M. T. P. Unlocking ancient protein palimpsests. Science 343, 1320–1322 (2014).
• Warinner, C. et al. Direct evidence of milk consumption from ancient human dental calculus. Scientific  Reports 4, 7104 (2014).
• Welker, F et al. 2016. “Palaeoproteomic Evidence Identifies Archaic Hominins Associated with the Châtelperronian at the Grotte Du Renne.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 113 (40):11162–67.
  • (Associated news piece: “Neandertals Made Their Own Jewelry, New Method Confirms.” 2016. Science | AAAS)