Identification of archaeological animal bone by PCR/DNA analysis

One of the problems faced by archaeologists is in identifying species from fragmented bone recovered in sites. We felt that PCR/DNA technology offered the means by which species could be identified from such remains. We used fragmented bones from the site of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump to establish protocols for PCR/DNA analysis. Fragmented bones from sites in Northern Nigeria and Northern Cameroon were then analysed. Positive identification of sheep and goat were made on five of the 14 bones tested.