Microsatellites from archaeological Vitis vinifera seeds allow a tentative assignment of the geographical origin of ancient cultivars

Six charred or waterlogged archaeological specimens of Vitis vinifera seeds from different European sites, dating from 2600 to 1700 years, were tested for the PCR amplification and the characterisation of microsatellite markers. A powerful DTAB-based method of DNA extraction, semi-nested PCR, cloning and sequencing allowed the characterisation of VV2S, ZAG21 and ZAG62 markers for three of the six specimens tested. Conditions of preservation differed between sites and two of the three successfully characterised specimens were preserved waterlogged. A particular sequence variant of the ZAG21 marker was observed in two specimens. These preliminary data show that microsatellite sequences of archaeological V. vinifera seeds can be used to investigate the origin and history of ancient cultivars by comparison with a microsatellite database of modern cultivars. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.