In the past 20 years, advancements in technology have provided opportunities for the analysis of the chemical components of tissues and organs in human remains through molecular biology, biochemistry, and skeletal research. Particularly, the elemental analysis of remains such as bones, teeth, and mummies, as well as the analysis of heavy and light stable isotopes of elements such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), oxygen (O), strontium (Sr), and lead (Pb), along with next-generation sequencing methods, have facilitated the development of ancient genome analysis or, more broadly, ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis in the field of anthropology. Molecular anthropology has emerged as a potential subfield within anthropology, being a developing multidisciplinary science.
Molecular anthropology, archaeometry, ancient DNA, genomics, genetics, archaeogenomics, proteomics, ancient microbiota, kinship, population history, demography, historical and prehistoric migrations, stable isotopes, nutrition, mobility, domestication, phylogeny, computational biology.
Molecular Anthropology is a rapidly advancing field worldwide, especially in the past 20 years. Initially, chemical analysis of elements and compounds in human populations provided valuable data in various fields such as diet, nutrition patterns, socio-economic structure, and cultural history. However, due to processes such as taphonomic effects (alteration of elements during burial), formation of new bonds, or dissolution, bone chemistry analyses can be contaminated. Therefore, the focus has shifted towards the analysis of stable isotopes of elements such as C, N, S, Pb, embedded within preserved collagens in human remains, alongside the analysis of elemental composition. This approach helps determine diet and its socio-economic and cultural implications. Anatolia, which has witnessed significant cultural transformations such as the transition to settled life, agriculture, animal domestication, and urbanization, is an important region for such studies.
Furthermore, the analysis of stable isotopes, such as Sr, O, S, and Pb, provides valuable tools for determining an individual's birthplace, lifetime mobility, and location of death. Accumulation of elements in teeth remains unchanged after the enamel is formed, whereas different bones with varying hardness and density, such as ribs and femurs, exhibit turnover rates over different time spans (e.g., 6, 8, 16 years), leading to varying levels of element accumulation. Therefore, the analysis of stable isotopes of these elements is an important tool for determining human mobility, dietary patterns, and radiocarbon dating.
Recently, ancient genomic studies/ancient DNA analyses have emerged as multidisciplinary and multinational research endeavors encompassing fields such as anthropology, archaeology, biology, molecular genetics, chemistry, physics, statistics, computer science, history, medicine, and dentistry. These studies involve the analysis of ancient DNA, proteins, microbiota, metabolites, and other components obtained from human, animal, plant, fecal, and sedimentary remains, either separately or in combination. The development of new technologies and analysis methods has allowed for a more detailed examination of human biocultural development. This field is relatively new and open to further development, scientific discoveries, and the generation of new knowledge.
Hacettepe University, particularly the Department of Anthropology, has played a pioneering role in this field, both in Turkey and globally. Since the 1980s, the university has preserved human and animal skeletal remains and established collaborations with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to provide access to ancient materials. The Husbio_L laboratory, which houses over 12,000 human skeletons, the newly opened Human_G laboratory in 2019, and the upcoming establishment of Hukek_L (Hacettepe University Bone Chemistry Laboratory) form the fundamental infrastructure for the development of Molecular Anthropology.
Moreover, the Anatolian region occupies a key position in the discussion of settled life, domestication of plants and animals, mining, urbanization, interregional trade, mobility, and migrations in human history. Consequently, there is a competitive demand for bioarchaeological materials recovered from Anatolia and the knowledge they can provide. Due to concerns about competition, plundering, and damage to archaeological remains, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has imposed significant limitations on the analysis of archaeological materials abroad. Human, animal, and plant remains are also subject to these restrictions. Therefore, the molecular analysis of these remains within our university is of utmost importance.
Considering the richness of materials available for analysis, our laboratory facilities, research potential, and international connections, it is evident that a regular scientific policy is needed to accelerate the development in this field. This will ensure high-impact scientific production by facilitating the competitiveness and scientific influence of the data obtained from Molecular Anthropology research.
Human_G (Hacettepe University Molecular Anthropology Group aDNA Laboratory)
Husbio_L (Hacettepe University Skeletal Biology Laboratory)
Hukek-L (Hacettepe University Bone Chemistry Laboratory)
Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Selim Erdal
Prof. Dr. Ömür Dilek Erdal
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kameray Özdemir
Asst. Prof. Füsun Özer
Nefize Ezgi Altınışık, PhD