Sex Identification of Children Sacrificed to the Ancient Aztec Rain Gods in Tlatelolco

Cruz, Isabel de la; González‐Oliver, Angélica; Kemp, Brian M.; Roman, J. A. San; Smith, David Glenn; Torre‐Blanco, Alfonso

doi:10.1086/587642

Cited by 38 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Sex identification based on ancient DNA has also been attempted with variable results (e.g. Faerman et al ., 1998; Cunha et al ., 2000; De La Cruz et al , 2008). Until the sex of juvenile skeletons can be reliably determined, sex will remain an inherent source of error in any study of skeletal stress markers where sex is not known.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional and disease stress of juveniles from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

Wheeler

2010

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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Bioarchaeologists use skeletal health indicators to measure how ancient populations adapted to their physical, cultural and biological environments. Skeletons of infants and children are rarely included in these kinds of analyses because of factors such as poor preservation, small sample size, incomplete recovery or research design. In this study, skeletal remains of juveniles aged from foetal to 15 years (N ¼ 238) from Kellis 2, a Romano-Byzantine cemetery in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, are analysed to shed light on how infants and children were affected by Roman policies during the early years of the Christianisation of Egypt. Non-specific indicators of physiological stress (cribra orbitalia, enamel hypoplasia and osteoperiostitis) are analysed for post-natal individuals and interpreted in the context of the physical, cultural and biological landscapes. Results from these analyses suggest moderate levels of skeletal and dental stress with a marked improvement in general health from pre-Roman times. This study contributes to a better understanding of juvenile paleoepidemiology and mortuary practices in Egypt during the Romano-Byzantine period.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional and disease stress of juveniles from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

Wheeler

2010

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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“…However, even DNA extracted from powered bone sample appears resilient to bleach and treating powdered bone with bleach also removes some inhibitors (34). 4 The activity of this Proteinase Κ is optimal at 65 °C, but the protein will rapidly denature at higher temperatures. One should take care that the incubation temperature does not exceed 65°C.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To the sample add 3 mg of Proteinase Κ (Invitrogen, Fungal Proteinase K) and incubate at 65° C for approximately 4 hours. 4 Extract DNA from the digested sample using a three-step phenol/chloroform method.…”

Section: Dna Extractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extraction and Analysis of DNA from Archaeological Specimens

Kemp

Monroe

Smith

2007

ACS Symposium Series

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The study of DNA extracted from archaeological specimens is an exciting new avenue of research that can provide unique evidence for addressing archaeological questions. Here we give an overview of notable case studies, some of which were performed by the authors, that used genetic data retrieved from archaeological specimens to make interpretations about the past. Additionally we describe how ancient DNA (aDNA) differs from modern DNA and, thus, why only a few specific genomic markers are usually targeted and why protocols have been developed explicitly for the study of aDNA. We detail an aDNA extraction protocol that we have been developing over the past few years, and a description of genetic screening we routinely perform on DNA extracted from ancient human samples.

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“…De La Cruz et al . (), for instance, employ aDNA testing to determine the sex of 37 subadults and six adults recovered from Temple R at the site of Tlatelolco in Mexico City, a ritual context that coincides with ethnohistoric descriptions of sacrifice to the Tlaloque, the Aztec rain dwarfs. Results from Temple R illustrated the successful amplification of DNA from 32 of the 37 subadults as well as from all six adults; however, the results could only be replicated in 26 of the individuals.…”

Section: Paleogenetic Analyses In Osteoarchaeological Contextsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…De La Cruz et al . () obtained a 60% success rate of sex identification using aDNA extraction. The data lend support to ethnohistoric evidence indicating the preference for male victims who could better personify male deities.…”

Section: Paleogenetic Analyses In Osteoarchaeological Contextsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ancient DNA Clarifies Osteological Analyses of Commingled Remains from Midnight Terror Cave, Belize

Verdugo

Kassadjikova

Washburn

et al. 2016

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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In the past two decades, paleogenetics has made a significant impact on the field of archaeology. Interestingly, paleogenetic methods have not been extensively employed in osteoarchaeology despite its ability to address issues that cannot be resolved through traditional osteological analysis alone. This paper tackles a problem concerning the relationship between human remains in a commingled deposit from Midnight Terror Cave, Belize. Paleogenetics demonstrates that the bones in question belonged to multiple individuals, thus resolving an issue that was at the heart of the interpretation of social processes at the site. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Sex Identification of Children Sacrificed to the Ancient Aztec Rain Gods in Tlatelolco

Cited by 38 publications

References 12 publications

Nutritional and disease stress of juveniles from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

Nutritional and disease stress of juveniles from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

Extraction and Analysis of DNA from Archaeological Specimens

Ancient DNA Clarifies Osteological Analyses of Commingled Remains from Midnight Terror Cave, Belize

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