Small mammals at Wogan Cavern: Using ancient DNA to explore an important Palaeolithic site

Join us and be part of a dynamic research group who are using ancient DNA to explore past population histories and community shifts in Palaeolithic and Holocene mammals in the UK.

The Late Pleistocene and early Holocene saw dramatic climatic and environmental fluctuations that led to widespread shifts in the distribution and abundance of many species.

Changes are also observed in human culture and ancestry, including co-existence of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens prior to Neanderthal extinction. Palaeolithic sites with evidence for early H. sapiens in Britain are few.

Recent excavations at Wogan Cavern, located under Pembroke Castle, Wales, have recovered evidence of Mesolithic hunter-gatherer occupation dating to c.11,000 years, as well as older Palaeolithic occupations during the last Ice Age.

Alongside evidence of human occupation are faunal remains including large numbers of small mammals. Microfauna in particular are an important environmental indicator, as they can be more readily affected by shifts in ecology/climate.

The research will focus on analysing DNA from small mammals remains from the site to understand diversity and occupation and whether we can detect localised extinction and recolonisation events. There will also be scope to analyse faunal DNA from ancient sediments from the site, all of which will be contextualised with data from across Britain and Europe during the Late Pleistocene/early Holocene.

Advances in the field of ancient DNA have had a significant impact on our ability to analyse genomic data from archaeological sites. DNA can be successfully retrieved from skeletal remains but also ancient sediments and used to assess questions relating to taxonomy, population dynamics: migration, diversity and ancestry.

Pilot studies have already demonstrated the preservation of ancient DNA in bones and sediments at Wogan Cavern, which this PhD will expand upon. The supervisorial team combines expertise in ancient DNA, archaeological science, museum collection research, bioinformatics, osteological analysis, and small mammal populations.

The PhD will be based at the Natural History Museum London, working with the ancient DNA group and the dedicated ancient DNA laboratory. The student will be trained in a suite of ancient DNA skill sets, from sampling to laboratory work to ancient DNA analyses. The student will also have the opportunity to join the excavation team on site in Wales. As part of the aDNA group at the NHM they will join a supportive and vibrant environment that includes both postdocs and PhD students.