Ancient DNA Studies of Social and Political Organization at the Chiribaya Alta Site in Southern Peru

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9413018 Williams With this grant from The National Science Foundation, Dr. Sloan Williams will develop models which will allow her to reconstruct forms of prehistoric social organization using DNA data obtained from the analysis of ancient bone. In the course of archaeological fieldwork in southern Peru, Dr. Williams and her collaborators have excavated a series of cemeteries which contain well preserved human skeletal remains. The graves also yielded numerous burial goods which provide information on the social and occupational status of the associated individuals. Using current biochemical techniques it is possible to extract and analyze DNA from these bones and with the data thus collected determine the degree of relatedness among individuals. On this basis it should be possible to reconstruct biological affinity and relate this to social and occupational organization. DNA analysis has provided a valuable research tool in many areas of science and is permitting researchers not only to answer old questions with greater precision, but also to expand the boundaries of potential inquiry. Because ancient bone sometimes preserves DNA it may permit archaeologists also to venture into new realms. Dr. Williams is breaking new ground in this direction. Her research is important not only for what it may reveal about Peruvian prehistory, but also because the techniques she develops may be useful in a wide range of archaeological situations.