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Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Optimized Bone Sampling Protocols for the Retrieval of Ancient DNA from Archaeological Remains
Published on: November 30, 2021
Palaeoanthropology and the study of pre-adult fossil remains
Debra R Bolter1,2, Noel Cameron3, Christopher A Wolfe4
1Anthropology Department, Modesto Junior College, Modesto, CA, USA.
Context:
This review paper captures the topics and discussions during a workshop held in April 2023 in Minden, Nevada, USA regarding the study of pre-adult hominin fossil specimens.
Objective:
Perspectives from diverse academic fields were merged to articulate, examine and clarify the many approaches available to interpret fossil remains and reconstruct our hominin ancestors.
Methods:
The Wenner-Gren Workshop was organised to address the increasing collection of pre-adult hominin remains. Sixteen scientists from North America, Europe, Australia and Africa participated.
Results:
The sizeable sample of immature fossil hominin specimens provided the opportunity to reflect on the state of maturity research, highlight multi-disciplinary advances, and identify future areas for study.
Conclusion:
The workshop advanced efforts to understand human evolution, particularly the selective pressures shaping patterns of growth and maturity across a broad range of hominin species.
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