ECTS credits ECTS credits: 3
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Student's work ECTS: 51 Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 9 Interactive Classroom: 12 Total: 75
Use languages Spanish, Galician, English
Type: Ordinary subject Master’s Degree RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: External department linked to the degrees
Areas: Área externa M.U en Arqueología y Ciencias de la Antigüedad (3ª ed)
Center Faculty of Geography and History
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
This course will provide basic concepts of molecular biology and population genetics in order to understand how DNA and genetic data can help address archaeological questions and reconstruct human history from a multidisciplinary perspective.
It will explore how DNA can contribute to solving archaeological issues, especially those related to the study of human evolution. Students will acquire the foundational knowledge necessary to understand ancient DNA analysis methodologies, as well as the results of genetic studies in archaeological research. This will equip them to evaluate the potential and limitations of DNA technology in both public research projects and private-sector applications.
Starting with the study of the nature and function of the DNA molecule, we will examine the most current technologies for the genetic analysis of archaeological remains. We will explore how genetic information can become a powerful tool for understanding social and familial relationships in the past, as well as major demographic events in human history that go beyond what can be inferred from the traditional analysis of fossil remains.
The specific objectives of this course are as follows:
• To provide basic biological knowledge to understand the nature and function of DNA as the molecule of inheritance.
• To become familiar with methods for analyzing DNA in ancient human remains and their application in archaeological studies.
• To critically evaluate the possibilities and limitations of genetic techniques applied to archaeological research.
• To provide the necessary knowledge to integrate genetic data within the broader context of archaeological investigation.
• To develop communication, analytical, and research skills related to biomolecular techniques applied to anthropological and archaeological study.
Part I. Genetic Information as a Tool for Archaeological Research
I. Introduction to Bioarchaeology. Archaeogenetics: Potential and Limitations.
II. The DNA Molecule: Structure and Function, General Concepts.
III. Uniparental Markers: Mitochondrial DNA and the Y Chromosome. Their Usefulness in Kinship Identification and the Reconstruction of Family Lineages.
IV. Genetic Variability: Origin and Significance of Genetic Variation. The Different Types of Genetic Markers.
V. Ancient DNA: Characterization of Postmortem Molecular Damage. Preservation of the Molecule in Archaeological Remains.
VI. The Ancient DNA Laboratory: From Excavation to DNA Extraction. Sample Handling and Decontamination Methods. DNA Extraction Procedures from Archaeological Material.
Case Studies Part I: Laboratory Protocols. Reading of Articles Related to Ancient DNA Extraction Methods and Identification of Molecular Damage.
Part II. From Archaeogenetics to Archaeogenomics
VII. DNA Molecule Sequencing: Classical Methods vs. New High-Throughput Technologies (NGS, Next Generation Sequencing).
VIII. Application of Next-Generation Technologies to the Reconstruction of Ancient Genomes: Hybridization Capture Methods and NGS.
IX. The Human Origins Array and Its Impact on Understanding the History of Our Species: Identification of Admixture with Archaic Hominins and Major Prehistoric Migration Events.
X. Computational Analysis of Sequencing Data I: DNA Molecule Authentication Methods and Assessment of Contamination.
XI. Computational Analysis of Sequencing Data II: Characterization of Genetic Variants Across Genomes. Kinship Identification and Reconstruction of Phenotypic Traits (e.g., pigmentation, lactose tolerance) in Prehistoric Human Remains.
Case Studies Part II:
Endogenous DNA Enrichment Methods in Archaeological Samples. DNA Capture by Hybridization.
Richards, M.P. and Britton, K. eds., (2020). Archaeological Science: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press.
Cappellini, E. et al. (2018) ‘Ancient Biomolecules and Evolutionary Inference’, Annual Review of Biochemistry, 87, pp. 1029–1060.
Orlando, L., Allaby, R., Skoglund, P., Der Sarkissian, C., Stockhammer, P.W., Ávila-Arcos, M.C., Fu, Q., Krause, J., Willerslev, E., Stone, A.C. and Warinner, C., 2021. Ancient DNA analysis. Nature Reviews Methods Primers, 1(1), pp.1-26.
Ancient DNA, methods and procols. (2019). Ed: Editors: Beth Saphiro, Axel Barlow, Peter D. Heintzman, Michael Hofreiter, Johanna L.A. Paijmans, Andre ER Soares. Springer.
BASIC COMPETENCIES:
(CB-1) That students possess knowledge that can be original and therefore useful for the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context.
(CB-2) That students know how to apply the knowledge acquired to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
(CB-3) That students have the ability to integrate knowledge and handle the complexity of making judgments based on information that may be incomplete or limited, including reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
(CB-4) That students know how to communicate their conclusions—and the knowledge and rationale underpinning them—to both specialized and non-specialized audiences clearly and unambiguously.
(CB-5) That students possess the learning skills necessary to continue studying in a largely self-directed or autonomous manner.
GENERAL COMPETENCIES:
(CG-4) That students are capable of performing critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
(CG-5) That students know how to communicate with their colleagues, the academic community as a whole, and society in general about their areas of knowledge.
(CG-9) That they are able to open new specialization pathways within the field of archaeological studies.
(CG-10) That their advanced training contributes to European cultural development through the correct transmission and critical interpretation of the historical and cultural heritage of the classical world.
SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:
(CE-1) Be capable of preparing and drafting historical and archaeological reports, adapting to the type of activity being carried out.
(CE-5) Acquire the necessary skills to lead fieldwork, survey, archaeological excavation, and the processing and study of materials and samples.
TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCIES:
(CT-1) Use bibliographies and tools for searching general and specific bibliographic resources, including Internet access, recognizing their vast possibilities and enhancing the student’s ability to critically evaluate their content.
(CT-2) Optimize time management and organize available resources effectively by setting priorities, alternative paths, and identifying errors in decision-making.
(CT-3) Enhance teamwork skills in cooperative, multidisciplinary, or highly competitive environments.
In the theoretical classes, the content will be developed and explained, supported by abundant audiovisual material. The theoretical content will be complemented with the reading and discussion of practical cases drawn from the scientific literature.
In the practical classes, students will become familiar with the use of open-source bioinformatics programs for the analysis of genetic sequences with direct applications in archaeology (kinship identification, biological sex, mitochondrial and Y-chromosome haplotypes, physical traits). Students will be introduced to basic programming tools (bash language) for editing DNA sequences. They will be guided throughout the use of these programs and the interpretation of the results obtained, without requiring prior knowledge of programming or command-line navigation. During practical classes, students will present individually or in groups the results obtained for the proposed practical cases.
The evaluation will be continuous and will include:
• Attendance and active participation in lecture classes: 20%
• Completion of practical coursework: 20%
• Supervised written assignment: 25%
• Final exam related to the course content: 35%
In the second exam session, in July, the student will have to take the same type of continuous assessment tests that were conducted throughout the course.
For attendance considerations, the "Regulations on Class Attendance in Official Undergraduate and Master's Programs at the University of Santiago de Compostela" will apply, coming into effect in the 2025/26 academic year.
In case of official exemption, the student will be examined using the same criteria applied in face-to-face teaching.
Grading system: expressed by a final numeric grade from 0 to 10 according to current legislation (Royal Decree 1125/2003 of September 5; Official State Gazette (BOE) September 18).
Article 16 of the Academic Performance Evaluation Regulations for Students (DOG July 21, 2011) establishes the following:
“Fraudulent completion of any exercise or test required for the evaluation of a subject will result in a failing grade for the corresponding exam session, regardless of any disciplinary procedures that may be initiated against the offending student. Fraudulent actions include, among others, plagiarism of work or obtaining it from publicly accessible sources without reworking or reinterpretation and without citing the authors and sources.”
• Lecture classes: 9 hours
• Interactive classes, including discussion of scientific bibliography and analysis of practical cases: 12 hours
• Recommended readings (library activities): 16 hours
• Individual study work: 16 hours
• Group project preparation: 17 hours
• Evaluation: 2 hours
• Tutorials: 3 hours
It is recommended to review basic molecular biology texts explaining cell organization and the function of major macromolecules, with special attention to DNA and proteins.
Attendance and active participation in class are recommended.
It is advisable to have knowledge of English as well as general office software packages (LibreOffice or Microsoft Office) and standard collaborative programs such as Microsoft Teams.
No prior knowledge of programming or command-line navigation is necessary.
| Tuesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 15:30-18:30 | Grupo /CLE_01 | - | Classroom 00 |