Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains of the Joseon Dynasty from Hwamyeong‐dong, Busan: A Molecular Genetic Approach

Abstract

The analysis of ancient DNA extracted from archaeological bones has become an important research tool in palaeogenetics and anthropology. Eight human skeletal remains of the Joseon dynasty, excavated from Hwamyeong-dong, were used in this study. DNA was extracted from bone powder using a silica-based protocol. The isolated DNA was analyzed by the sequencing variation of hyper-variable region of the mitochondrial DNA. In the present study, 3 human remains were identified into mtDNA haplogroups including the A 5a, D4a, and M4"67+16311 groups, using HaploGrep 2 program. The identified haplotypes of the 3 samples have been confirmed that the specimens in the tombs were not related by the maternal line. This is the first analysis of human skeletal remains of the Joseon dynasty excavated in Busan. Date from the analysis of human remains from the Joseon dynasty are considered as the basis for understanding the genetic relationship between modern and ancient humans of the Korean peninsula.