From the editor
In this issue we report a major new study of ancient dna obtained from excavated human remains. The era is a significant one in Britain’s history, when farming first arrived and hunter-gatherers with millennia of their own antiquity were confronted with fundamental choices.
Applying ancient genetics to the past is still a new enterprise. It began with individuals, one in particular – Richard iii – drawing huge public interest (feature May/Jun 2013/130). In 2016 we covered four separate adna projects which focused on 23 Iron Age, Roman and Anglo-Saxon people (Nov/Dec 2016/151). Now whole populations are targeted. Last year we showed how the adna of 155 individuals revealed a dramatic change associated with the arrival of Beaker artefacts and values (May/Jun 2018/160). More revelations are to come; you can read about early insights from Viking Age adna in this issue’s News.
Genetics can surprise us with previously undocumented genealogies and population changes. But only archaeology can reveal the lives and motivations behind events, and the impacts on culture and technology. Science and excavation make a powerful team. In revolutionary times, British Archaeology will be here to guide you.