Stories in the Soil: sedaDNA analysis of cultural deposits at a ~10,000 year old archaeological site in the Lower Fraser River Basin

This project uses sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA), a new method that recovers tiny traces of ancient DNA from soil, to learn more about past cultures and environments. Although sedaDNA is becoming common in academic research, it is rarely used in commercial archaeology. This project partners intern Angela Buttress with Inlailawatash LP, an archaeological consulting company owned by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, to apply this technique at DhRr-928, an archaeological site in Metro Vancouver that is nearly 10,000 years old. By extracting and sequencing ancient DNA preserved in soil, the study will identify a wider range of plants and animals than traditional methods alone. This internship will benefit Inlailawatash by providing new, high-resolution environmental information that can strengthen cultural interpretations, support community-led decision making, and demonstrate the value of sedaDNA for future commercial projects. The project advances understanding of ancient ecosystems while directly benefiting the Nation’s archaeological and stewardship work.

Faculty Supervisor:

Camilla Speller

Student:

Partner:

Inlailawatash

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: