Dept. of Archaeology

Members of the Department of Archaeology, Dr. Vaughan Grimes and the late Prof. Priscilla Renouf, were among an international team of researchers who co-authored a recent article in the prestigious journal Science investigating the genetics of prehistoric Arctic populations.

This large-scale ancient DNA study utilized 169 samples of human remains from archaeological sites across the Arctic (Siberia to Greenland), which included the remains of Middle Dorset people who occupied Newfoundland (~2800-1000 years BP). This study has effectively demonstrated that the Dorset people were part of a genetically isolated but continuous population across the Canadian Arctic, and it has set the stage for the development of new and exciting research in Arctic archaeology.

The ground-breaking research has been extensively covered through a number of international news agencies:

• National Geographic: Ancient DNA Sheds New Light on Arctic's Earliest People
• Toronto Star: Ancient tooth DNA sheds light on origins of Arctic peoples
• New York Times: New Study Offers Clues to Swift Arctic Extinction
• BBC: DNA reveals history of vanished 'Paleo-Eskimos'