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More than dirt: sedimentary ancient DNA and Indigenous Australia
  • +2
  • Dawn Lewis,
  • Rebecca Simpson,
  • Azure Hermes,
  • Alex Brown,
  • Bastien Llamas
Dawn Lewis
The University of Adelaide

Corresponding Author:dawn.lewis@adelaide.edu.au

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Rebecca Simpson
Telethon Kids Institute
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Azure Hermes
Australian National University National Centre for Indigenous Genomics
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Alex Brown
Telethon Kids Institute
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Bastien Llamas
The University of Adelaide
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Abstract

The rise of sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) studies has opened up new possibilities for studying pre-historic ecology. The use of sediments to identify organisms even where macroscopic remains are limited or no longer exist is an exciting and potentially ground-breaking area of genomics. There are special considerations however when managing this substrate in Indigenous Australian contexts. Sediments and soils are often considered as waste by-products during archaeological and paleontological excavations, and as such are not typically considered of high value in ethical considerations in traditional western research. Nevertheless, the product of sedaDNA work – genetic information from past fauna, flora, microbial communities, and human ancestors – is likely to be of cultural value for Indigenous peoples. We argue that the integration of Traditional Knowledges into sedaDNA research would a) allow identification of sensitive, secret, or sacred genomic data, and b) improve research outcomes by providing ecological context for species through multi-millennia oral histories.
21 Oct 2022Submitted to Molecular Ecology Resources
02 Nov 2022Submission Checks Completed
02 Nov 2022Assigned to Editor
02 Nov 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
06 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
03 Apr 20231st Revision Received
04 Apr 2023Submission Checks Completed
04 Apr 2023Assigned to Editor
04 Apr 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Jul 2023Editorial Decision: Accept