DNA IN WHEAT SEEDS FROM EUROPEAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

We have used hybridization analysis to detect ancient DNA in wheat see ds collected from three archaeological sites in Europe and the Middle East. One of these samples, carbonized T. spelta dated to the first mi llennium BC, has yielded PCR products after amplification with primers directed at the leader regions of the HMW (high molecular weight) glu tenin alleles. Sequences obtained from these products suggest that the DNA present in the Danebury seeds is chemically damaged, as expected for ancient DNA, and also indicate that it should be possible to study the genetic variability of archaeological wheat by ancient DNA analys is. Finally, we describe a PCR-based system that enables tetraploid an d hexaploid wheats to be distinguished.