DNA From Ancient Bricks – A 2,900-Year-Old DNA
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have successfully retrieved fragments of DNA from an ancient clay brick, shedding light on the plant life of a bygone era. This innovative study reveals that these ancient building blocks, created around 2,900 years ago in what is now northern Iraq, can offer valuable insights into the flora of their time.
The production of these bricks involved a mixture of mud from the Tigris river banks along with materials like chaff, straw, and even animal dung. Among these ingredients, small plant particles became embedded within the brick’s structure, safeguarded for centuries.
The University of Oxford in the UK, in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen and the National Museum of Denmark, showcased this achievement through the extraction and analysis of a brick sample. Employing a technique previously used for porous materials like bone, the researchers decoded the DNA present in the plant matter.
This analysis uncovered 34 distinct groups of plants, providing a snapshot of the ancient environment. “Discovering well-preserved ancient DNA within a clay mass was truly remarkable,” expressed biologist Sophie Lund Rasmussen from the University of Oxford. The brick being examined comes from the palace
of Ashurnasirpal II, a Neo-Assyrian ruler, located in the historic city of Kalhu. Dated to approximately 879-869 BCE, the inscription on the clay aided in pinpointing its age.The DNA extracted from the brick revealed the presence of several plant families, including Brassicaceae (cabbage and mustard family), Ericaceae (heather), Betulaceae (birch), Lauraceae (laurels), Selineae (carrots and parsley family), and Triticeae (cultivated grasses). Assyriologist Troels Arbøll from the University of Copenhagen explained, “Embedded within this brick is a historical snapshot, capturing valuable information about its environment. It grants us unique access to the lives of ancient Assyrians.”
While the team focused on plant DNA due to its exceptional preservation, the methodology could be adapted to examine animal DNA as well. Clay bricks are widespread across archaeological sites globally, offering potential to reveal diverse details about their historical ecosystems.
The natural drying process of the brick and the well-protected sample extraction contributed to the preservation of its organic contents. Ultimately, this research provides invaluable insights into past civilizations and the evolution of our world over millennia.” This study exemplifies the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration in science,” noted Rasmussen.
The combined expertise of various fields enabled a comprehensive approach to unravelling the mysteries encapsulated within this ancient material.
