Methods and ancient-genomics: radiocarbon re-dating, robust aDNA, and imaging advances
Key Questions
How is AI advancing scroll reading at Herculaneum?
AI combined with synchrotron imaging is enabling non-invasive reading of carbonized Herculaneum scrolls.
What new facial reconstructions use aDNA?
Aquincum Museum in Hungary has produced Roman facial reconstructions based on ancient DNA from burials.
What methods aided the Greek curse tablet discovery?
Epigraphic analysis helped identify a Greek curse tablet found in the Netherlands.
Major breakthroughs include Herculaneum scroll reading via AI and synchrotron, aDNA recovery from cave walls, Scythian elite genetics confirming hereditary rule, multi-method dating of Karatau Culture, and AI decipherment of Singapore Stone. New: Greek curse tablet from Netherlands adds epigraphic methods. Also: landscape archaeology of bog iron ore, coprolite analysis, amino acid stable isotope study of early maize in Belize, archaeomagnetic dating of salt-production site, olive oil residue study flawed by soil chemistry, AI predictive analytics for Greek archaeology, aDNA of children's burials in Sweden. New: Aquincum facial reconstructions using aDNA – practical application. New: Protein evidence for animal sacrifice and shared ritual (article noted).