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Jakob Sedig – Ancient DNA Work Done in Western and Northern Mexico
May 19 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm MST
Ancient DNA has transformed our understanding of the archaeological record and how people in the past interacted with one another. In this talk, I will discuss some of the most recent results from ancient DNA research in north and west Mexico. In particular, I will present findings on the arrival of Uto-Aztecan-associated ancestry in California prior to the spread of maize agriculture, evidence for a child with closely related parents ceremonially buried at Paquimé, and current research on how ancient populations across western and northern interacted with each other over time.
Speaker Jakob W. Sedig is a Senior Archaeologist with Chronicle Heritage. After completing his doctorate at the University of Colorado, which focused on the Mimbres Transitional phase (900-1000 CE), he was awarded a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Reich Laboratory of Medical and Population Genetics, Harvard University. During his time in the Reich Lab, Jakob worked to more fully integrate ancient DNA with archaeological studies. This involved using ancient DNA data to examine long-standing archaeological questions, especially those related to ancient populations in north and west Mexico. Jakob’s work has also focused on the ethical issues of paleogenomic research, particularly involving sampling methods and engagement with Indigenous communities. Jakob is currently co-editor of the journal Kiva.