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The Trouble with Ancient DNA: Telling Stories of the Past with Genomic Science
A thoughtful consideration of the storytelling and science behind ancient DNA discoveries.
In recent years, discoveries brought to light through analysis of ancient DNA—or aDNA—have made headlines around the world. While ancient DNA studies may appear to focus on laboratory science and objective results, the findings have also relied heavily on storytelling and can be influenced by political interests.
In The Trouble with Ancient DNA, Anna Källén explores how the parameters of genetic science influence the stories we tell about our ancient ancestors, questioning what narratives we can and should take at face value. Through accounts of migrations, warriors, and figures like Cheddar Man, we see enticing and potent narratives that reach far beyond what can be gathered from the scientific study of molecules alone. Rather, by privileging certain narratives and questions—like those about sex or eye and skin color—our stories of ancient DNA are spun around the structure of today’s methodologies, technologies, and popular and political interests. Källén considers how DNA is used to sensationalize stories, how its use poses questions of ethics and care, and who is responsible if stories of ancient DNA are adopted for dangerous political projects.
In recent years, discoveries brought to light through analysis of ancient DNA—or aDNA—have made headlines around the world. While ancient DNA studies may appear to focus on laboratory science and objective results, the findings have also relied heavily on storytelling and can be influenced by political interests.
In The Trouble with Ancient DNA, Anna Källén explores how the parameters of genetic science influence the stories we tell about our ancient ancestors, questioning what narratives we can and should take at face value. Through accounts of migrations, warriors, and figures like Cheddar Man, we see enticing and potent narratives that reach far beyond what can be gathered from the scientific study of molecules alone. Rather, by privileging certain narratives and questions—like those about sex or eye and skin color—our stories of ancient DNA are spun around the structure of today’s methodologies, technologies, and popular and political interests. Källén considers how DNA is used to sensationalize stories, how its use poses questions of ethics and care, and who is responsible if stories of ancient DNA are adopted for dangerous political projects.
163 pages, Paperback
Published January 20, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 5, 2024
Why did it take so long for the limitations of ancient DNA research to be exposed? There has been some criticism, but it was annihilated by the flashy headlines in the media that ancient genetics are completely rewriting our view of the earliest history of mankind. The blame for this not only lay with journalists, but also with a number of scientists who grossly exaggerated the relevance and reliability of their research, out of ambition and possibly also to get more funding for their work. Swedish archaeologist Anna Källén, (Stockholm University) lists all the criticism here. And she does so with verve: “a few scientists and scholars who have exploited the symbolic value of DNA to tell sensational stories have been rewarded with major research grants, prizes, and public visibility. And those evangelical claims that DNA offers a perfect window onto the past have gained purchase in the popular press and have the greatest impact on broader audiences.”
Källén does not claim that ancient DNA research is worthless, on the contrary, but she is particularly offended by the absolute certainty with which (some) researchers send their farreaching claims out into the world, while in reality their research is subject to all kinds of limitations. Ultimately, it turns out that it are methodological limitations, together with the interpretation and the narrative translation of that research that determine the strength or weakness of it. And that's just like in all other historical research.
Källén explains it all very clearly. This is a welcome relativization of a new field of research in historical science. Although the disadvantage of such a publication is of course that it does not immediately provide a corrected substantive picture. More in my History account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... Thanks for the ARC from Netgalley and the publisher.
Källén does not claim that ancient DNA research is worthless, on the contrary, but she is particularly offended by the absolute certainty with which (some) researchers send their farreaching claims out into the world, while in reality their research is subject to all kinds of limitations. Ultimately, it turns out that it are methodological limitations, together with the interpretation and the narrative translation of that research that determine the strength or weakness of it. And that's just like in all other historical research.
Källén explains it all very clearly. This is a welcome relativization of a new field of research in historical science. Although the disadvantage of such a publication is of course that it does not immediately provide a corrected substantive picture. More in my History account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... Thanks for the ARC from Netgalley and the publisher.
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November 17, 2024I discovered the Ancient DNA ‘revolution’ in 2020, through the work of Adam Rutherford (A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived: The Stories in Our Genes, 2016), David Reich (Who We Are and How We Got Here: Ancient DNA and the New Science of the Human Past, 2018) and Johannes Krause (A Short History of Humanity: A New History of Old Europe, 2019), all pioneers in this new field. These books provided a great insight into the fascinating developments in the genetic study of extremely old fossil material, which really broke through around 2010-2015, leading to revolutionary new insights into the earliest history of the human species, particularly in terms of migratory movements.
Naturally, all these scientists emphasize the great merits of this latest technological development, albeit in the books of Rutherford and of Krause & Trappe with the necessary nuance, but much less so in the one by Reich, who draws very far-reaching conclusions from his research (as a result David Reich is so severely criticized in this booklet by the Swedish archaeologist Anna Källén - Stockholm University). According to Källén, quite a few genetic researchers appear to indulge in the same sins: “In these stories, presented with evangelical enthusiasm, genomic science played the role of an all-seeing God's eye—a wonderful new machine with the ability to reveal the true identities of people in the ancient past. The popular science media gulped up the messages and pumped up the volume, and soon we were deluged with strong images and resolute stories claiming to have cracked archaeological mysteries and settled long-standing controversies, once and for all. The few calls for caution that were heard were dismissed as anxious, jealous, or ignorant of the possibilities of the new genomic science.”
Källén explains exactly where the problem lies. And that is in various areas. Methodology, for example. Although many more fossil remains have been studied in recent years, the number of usable specimens from which DNA can be extracted remains limited. And despite the claims that ‘whole genome’ research is being done, it turns out that only a limited part of the genetic spectrum is ever studied, that work is done on the basis of statistical selection combined with probabilistic extrapolation. As a consequence, the research results are selective (this is also evident from the continuous corrections that are made in this field). Moreover, in the subsequent process, inevitably interpretation of the obtained results is done, in which the research questions and the general background of the researcher play a role. As Källén puts it:“a genetic analysis is a creative process rather than a neutral rendering of existing information. Thus, all genetic analyses depend on series of choices made by the researchers, and limitations set by the methodological frameworks and traditions in which they work. Furthermore, scientists working with aDNA need to make meaning out of what is essentially a set of molecules. Archaeogeneticists have to put words to a material that is essentially wordless. Someone has to tell the story.”
That does not mean that the findings of archaeogenetics are worthless, certainly not. But they must be approached with the necessary caution and tested against the insights from archaeological and textual sources. A much more nuanced picture can emerge from that interdisciplinary approach. In that sense, archaeogenetics is a valuable addition, although subject to its own limitations: “Ancient DNA is a material and an imagination. When we write history with ancient DNA, we are finders of fact and tellers of stories.”
Nevertheless, after reading this book, I am left with a pertinent question: Källén is rightly critical, and her warnings seem appropriate. But this book does not refute any of those so-called exuberant claims, it only poses questions. That is a good, healthy start, but of course it leaves the reader a bit unsatisfied. Hopefully the scientific field will clear itself up a bit in the coming years/decades and the fog will gradually lift, although there always will be cowboys, also in science. You have been warned. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reading Copy.
Naturally, all these scientists emphasize the great merits of this latest technological development, albeit in the books of Rutherford and of Krause & Trappe with the necessary nuance, but much less so in the one by Reich, who draws very far-reaching conclusions from his research (as a result David Reich is so severely criticized in this booklet by the Swedish archaeologist Anna Källén - Stockholm University). According to Källén, quite a few genetic researchers appear to indulge in the same sins: “In these stories, presented with evangelical enthusiasm, genomic science played the role of an all-seeing God's eye—a wonderful new machine with the ability to reveal the true identities of people in the ancient past. The popular science media gulped up the messages and pumped up the volume, and soon we were deluged with strong images and resolute stories claiming to have cracked archaeological mysteries and settled long-standing controversies, once and for all. The few calls for caution that were heard were dismissed as anxious, jealous, or ignorant of the possibilities of the new genomic science.”
Källén explains exactly where the problem lies. And that is in various areas. Methodology, for example. Although many more fossil remains have been studied in recent years, the number of usable specimens from which DNA can be extracted remains limited. And despite the claims that ‘whole genome’ research is being done, it turns out that only a limited part of the genetic spectrum is ever studied, that work is done on the basis of statistical selection combined with probabilistic extrapolation. As a consequence, the research results are selective (this is also evident from the continuous corrections that are made in this field). Moreover, in the subsequent process, inevitably interpretation of the obtained results is done, in which the research questions and the general background of the researcher play a role. As Källén puts it:“a genetic analysis is a creative process rather than a neutral rendering of existing information. Thus, all genetic analyses depend on series of choices made by the researchers, and limitations set by the methodological frameworks and traditions in which they work. Furthermore, scientists working with aDNA need to make meaning out of what is essentially a set of molecules. Archaeogeneticists have to put words to a material that is essentially wordless. Someone has to tell the story.”
That does not mean that the findings of archaeogenetics are worthless, certainly not. But they must be approached with the necessary caution and tested against the insights from archaeological and textual sources. A much more nuanced picture can emerge from that interdisciplinary approach. In that sense, archaeogenetics is a valuable addition, although subject to its own limitations: “Ancient DNA is a material and an imagination. When we write history with ancient DNA, we are finders of fact and tellers of stories.”
Nevertheless, after reading this book, I am left with a pertinent question: Källén is rightly critical, and her warnings seem appropriate. But this book does not refute any of those so-called exuberant claims, it only poses questions. That is a good, healthy start, but of course it leaves the reader a bit unsatisfied. Hopefully the scientific field will clear itself up a bit in the coming years/decades and the fog will gradually lift, although there always will be cowboys, also in science. You have been warned. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reading Copy.
January 11, 2025
A concise, concentrated book on the many limits of aDNA and the complexities of archaeological knowledge; a warning about the boundaries of science and the temptations of hype; something of a manifesto. Limited in its own ways, but well worth reading, in any case.
Yet, to my mind, archaeologist Anna Källén is too abstract in her approach, concreteness and immediacy lost to somewhat arcane quotation of theorists and the judiciously neutral re-tellings of the news surrounding aDNA in popular culture. I fear the point of The Trouble with Ancient DNA might be easily lost to people who aren't already cognizant of the complexities and dangers of producing knowledge about the human past.
I do not think there is anything such thing like "getting close to the naked molecule" of DNA, a pure science that is careful and measured, (for, perhaps, it cannot be) a truth separable from inflated certainty and journalistic sensationalism: the point of the emperor's nakedness isn't the honesty of it, is not that we should all be children (for we cannot be), it is that power clothes, it creates matter; for all intends and purposes the emperor can wear and not new clothes at the same time; at a whim, an emperor embodies the inherent potential of lying. In how we teach and think about biology, DNA is an emperor of all life, a cell tyrant. (The perils of genetic dogma have been pointed out for decades, and philosophers of science like Susan Oyama have done fruitful interesting work exploring that.) DNA's centrality to any discourse about life is too tangled deep-rooted – the temptation to always see genetic evidence as an infallible gold standard, to hold its primacy, would still be there if the study of ancient DNA wasn't limited, so rooted is the mystique of heredity; I think Källén unwittingly subtly plays into reifying that a bit.
{This is a review of an advanced reader's copy, generously provided by the publisher and NetGalley.}
Humans, now as in ancient times, are cultural and biological beings. Ancient DNA is a material and an imagination. When we write history with ancient DNA, we are finders of fact and tellers of stories.
Yet, to my mind, archaeologist Anna Källén is too abstract in her approach, concreteness and immediacy lost to somewhat arcane quotation of theorists and the judiciously neutral re-tellings of the news surrounding aDNA in popular culture. I fear the point of The Trouble with Ancient DNA might be easily lost to people who aren't already cognizant of the complexities and dangers of producing knowledge about the human past.
I do not think there is anything such thing like "getting close to the naked molecule" of DNA, a pure science that is careful and measured, (for, perhaps, it cannot be) a truth separable from inflated certainty and journalistic sensationalism: the point of the emperor's nakedness isn't the honesty of it, is not that we should all be children (for we cannot be), it is that power clothes, it creates matter; for all intends and purposes the emperor can wear and not new clothes at the same time; at a whim, an emperor embodies the inherent potential of lying. In how we teach and think about biology, DNA is an emperor of all life, a cell tyrant. (The perils of genetic dogma have been pointed out for decades, and philosophers of science like Susan Oyama have done fruitful interesting work exploring that.) DNA's centrality to any discourse about life is too tangled deep-rooted – the temptation to always see genetic evidence as an infallible gold standard, to hold its primacy, would still be there if the study of ancient DNA wasn't limited, so rooted is the mystique of heredity; I think Källén unwittingly subtly plays into reifying that a bit.
{This is a review of an advanced reader's copy, generously provided by the publisher and NetGalley.}
August 5, 2024
The comedic highlight of the book is a story from the social scientist Roos Hopman about a colleague of hers, who feels it relevant enough to interrupt her introduction to point out that race is a social construct, only for that same colleague to use racial concepts in describing their own work.
The book is about the use of ancient DNA in telling historical stories. The author's aim is not to debunk as much as to temper. With examples such as the Human Genome Project, the DNA ancestry services, and "paleopersonalities" like Cheddar Man, the book explores the ways in which gene analysis gets out over its skis in terms of what it can and cannot represent.
Like Mismeasure of Man, the book has a sort of dual thesis, overt and thematic. Overtly, the book explains the weaknesses in studies that use ancient DNA, particularly in the interest of proving facts about human culture, including race and ethnicity. Science uses a lot of misleading nomenclature, or language that has a tendency to mislead. And while archaeology has grown to move away from solid cultural blocks inflicting invasions on other cultures, which came about more as a byproduct of Nationalistic and Whiggish ideas and often exist in wholly speculative formats, the studies in ancient DNA often do not. And even when they do, they have a tendency to get out over their skis in terms of what sort of probalisitc assessments they are making.
Culture does not work like the stories people tell about it, because often the stories reflect more of their own culture. Overall, it is a more credible version of the "no culture" hypothesis of works like How the World Made the West, and suggests a humility and recognition of the limitations of what we are looking at when we look at genetic evidence. Part of this gets into the underlying science of ancient DNA, and how most of the headline-worthy revelations it gives are much more probabilistic than factual and deeply frustrated by the wormy concept that is race and people.
The thematic thesis is a warning about how people treat scientific results. Genetics research is privileged, treated as "hard" evidence. But ancient DNA is not ispo facto more probative than any other research. Fact always requires narrative to function, and the persuasiveness of the fact is related to how it relates to that narrative, as opposed to some preexisting hierarchy of what kind of facts are most fact-y.
Rephrased, we all have a bad track record in distinguishing between the sorts of things that DNA can tell us about contemporary people and what ancient DNA can tell us about historical populations. That is not a one-off but a sort of CSI effect affecting some types of scientific fact. The position is well-described, and fans of both-sideism will appreciate that the author does takedowns of both traditionally left and right uses of the science.
The book is short, concise, and well-organized. Each chapter functions on its own to prove its point, but they also come together in the conclusion. Maybe the only weak point here is, much like Mismeasure again, it represents a sort of null hypothesis, not a counter-narrative in itself but a reminder to reflect on narratives in general. I worry about people walking away, feeling either not persuaded or not edified because, in effect, the author was honest about human cognitive errors, rather than a feel-good grift. But it is a great read, short and to the point, on a relevant topic.
My thanks to the author, Anna Källén, for writing the book, and to the publisher, University of Chicago Press, for making the ARC available to me.
The book is about the use of ancient DNA in telling historical stories. The author's aim is not to debunk as much as to temper. With examples such as the Human Genome Project, the DNA ancestry services, and "paleopersonalities" like Cheddar Man, the book explores the ways in which gene analysis gets out over its skis in terms of what it can and cannot represent.
Like Mismeasure of Man, the book has a sort of dual thesis, overt and thematic. Overtly, the book explains the weaknesses in studies that use ancient DNA, particularly in the interest of proving facts about human culture, including race and ethnicity. Science uses a lot of misleading nomenclature, or language that has a tendency to mislead. And while archaeology has grown to move away from solid cultural blocks inflicting invasions on other cultures, which came about more as a byproduct of Nationalistic and Whiggish ideas and often exist in wholly speculative formats, the studies in ancient DNA often do not. And even when they do, they have a tendency to get out over their skis in terms of what sort of probalisitc assessments they are making.
Culture does not work like the stories people tell about it, because often the stories reflect more of their own culture. Overall, it is a more credible version of the "no culture" hypothesis of works like How the World Made the West, and suggests a humility and recognition of the limitations of what we are looking at when we look at genetic evidence. Part of this gets into the underlying science of ancient DNA, and how most of the headline-worthy revelations it gives are much more probabilistic than factual and deeply frustrated by the wormy concept that is race and people.
The thematic thesis is a warning about how people treat scientific results. Genetics research is privileged, treated as "hard" evidence. But ancient DNA is not ispo facto more probative than any other research. Fact always requires narrative to function, and the persuasiveness of the fact is related to how it relates to that narrative, as opposed to some preexisting hierarchy of what kind of facts are most fact-y.
Rephrased, we all have a bad track record in distinguishing between the sorts of things that DNA can tell us about contemporary people and what ancient DNA can tell us about historical populations. That is not a one-off but a sort of CSI effect affecting some types of scientific fact. The position is well-described, and fans of both-sideism will appreciate that the author does takedowns of both traditionally left and right uses of the science.
The book is short, concise, and well-organized. Each chapter functions on its own to prove its point, but they also come together in the conclusion. Maybe the only weak point here is, much like Mismeasure again, it represents a sort of null hypothesis, not a counter-narrative in itself but a reminder to reflect on narratives in general. I worry about people walking away, feeling either not persuaded or not edified because, in effect, the author was honest about human cognitive errors, rather than a feel-good grift. But it is a great read, short and to the point, on a relevant topic.
My thanks to the author, Anna Källén, for writing the book, and to the publisher, University of Chicago Press, for making the ARC available to me.
October 3, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
The Trouble with Ancient DNA: Telling Stories of the Past with Genomic Science by Anna Källén is a thought-provoking exploration of how genomic science shapes our understanding of history. Källén, an expert in archaeology and ancient studies, delves into the complexities and ethical considerations of interpreting ancient DNA (aDNA) findings.
The book examines how scientific discoveries are often intertwined with storytelling, influenced by contemporary methodologies, technologies, and even political interests. Källén’s narrative is both insightful and critical, questioning the narratives we construct about our ancestors based on genetic data. She highlights how certain aspects, such as sex, eye color, and skin color, are often sensationalized, overshadowing the broader and more nuanced stories that only aDNA can tell.
This book helps bridge the gap between scientific rigor and accessible storytelling. Källén uses case studies, such as the analysis of Cheddar Man and ancient migrations, to illustrate how aDNA research can be both enlightening and misleading. She emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations and the potential misuse of genetic data in shaping historical narratives.
Källén’s writing is engaging and accessible, making complex scientific concepts understandable for a general audience. She skillfully balances technical details with broader reflections on the implications of aDNA research. The book also addresses the responsibilities of scientists and storytellers in ensuring that the narratives constructed from genetic data are accurate and ethically sound.
The Trouble with Ancient DNA is a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of science, history, and ethics. Källén’s critical perspective encourages readers to think deeply about the stories we tell and the evidence we use to construct them.
The Trouble with Ancient DNA: Telling Stories of the Past with Genomic Science by Anna Källén is a thought-provoking exploration of how genomic science shapes our understanding of history. Källén, an expert in archaeology and ancient studies, delves into the complexities and ethical considerations of interpreting ancient DNA (aDNA) findings.
The book examines how scientific discoveries are often intertwined with storytelling, influenced by contemporary methodologies, technologies, and even political interests. Källén’s narrative is both insightful and critical, questioning the narratives we construct about our ancestors based on genetic data. She highlights how certain aspects, such as sex, eye color, and skin color, are often sensationalized, overshadowing the broader and more nuanced stories that only aDNA can tell.
This book helps bridge the gap between scientific rigor and accessible storytelling. Källén uses case studies, such as the analysis of Cheddar Man and ancient migrations, to illustrate how aDNA research can be both enlightening and misleading. She emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations and the potential misuse of genetic data in shaping historical narratives.
Källén’s writing is engaging and accessible, making complex scientific concepts understandable for a general audience. She skillfully balances technical details with broader reflections on the implications of aDNA research. The book also addresses the responsibilities of scientists and storytellers in ensuring that the narratives constructed from genetic data are accurate and ethically sound.
The Trouble with Ancient DNA is a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of science, history, and ethics. Källén’s critical perspective encourages readers to think deeply about the stories we tell and the evidence we use to construct them.
October 3, 2024
This is a public service announcement in book form!
My grand takeaway is that the average person (myself included) just doesn't know enough about DNA (ancient or otherwise) to avoid being duped by certain media-propagated narratives (dare I write "fibs"?). Headlining cases like the Viking warrior found to be female following aDNA analysis simply illustrate the mental models we have about the ancient world and ourselves. I appreciated the references to Donna Haraway's situated knowledge: we are imperfect and biased and we need to acknowledge this. I laughed at the idea of a "violent matriarchs in central Europe trafficking male sex slaves" ... but the author is right: DNA doesn't tell us the full story or any story, really. This is all "genetic astrology" (Mark Thomas).
At the same time, the author sometimes dances around the problems she's trying to raise, often through vague references ("a despot in a country not far from where I sit") or endless philosophical questions. I didn't quite understand what she was going for about race and science. I felt that I had to do a lot of work to fill in the gaps. For instance, "can we say that a population has 'died out' while maintaining that the science has nothing to do with the construction of race or racial typology?" What the author's saying here (after several re-reads) is "no." If DNA cannot be used to define race, then it can't be used to undefine race. I suspect that others will have similar trouble parsing this otherwise worthy and needed text.
Thank you to NetGalley and University of Chicago Press for the advance copy.
My grand takeaway is that the average person (myself included) just doesn't know enough about DNA (ancient or otherwise) to avoid being duped by certain media-propagated narratives (dare I write "fibs"?). Headlining cases like the Viking warrior found to be female following aDNA analysis simply illustrate the mental models we have about the ancient world and ourselves. I appreciated the references to Donna Haraway's situated knowledge: we are imperfect and biased and we need to acknowledge this. I laughed at the idea of a "violent matriarchs in central Europe trafficking male sex slaves" ... but the author is right: DNA doesn't tell us the full story or any story, really. This is all "genetic astrology" (Mark Thomas).
At the same time, the author sometimes dances around the problems she's trying to raise, often through vague references ("a despot in a country not far from where I sit") or endless philosophical questions. I didn't quite understand what she was going for about race and science. I felt that I had to do a lot of work to fill in the gaps. For instance, "can we say that a population has 'died out' while maintaining that the science has nothing to do with the construction of race or racial typology?" What the author's saying here (after several re-reads) is "no." If DNA cannot be used to define race, then it can't be used to undefine race. I suspect that others will have similar trouble parsing this otherwise worthy and needed text.
Thank you to NetGalley and University of Chicago Press for the advance copy.
January 19, 2025
If you are interested in popular science, you must remember news stories about groundbreaking discoveries made thanks to the decoding of so-called ancient DNA (aDNA) - genetic code extracted from thousands of years old remains. I have been fascinated by it since reading Neanderthal Man: In Search of Lost Genomes by Svante Pääbo, but after this book I will be much more skeptical about bold claims based on this technology. The author is concerned with “grandiose stories about people and societies in the ancient past that have gained credence with the god trick of aDNA genomics” and „reckless kind of storytelling that has been associated with aDNA studies,” and elegantly proves her point.
While not exactly a page-turner, her book is written in a very accessible and engaging way, with many real-life examples of stories from the mass media, debunking their bold claims. Here, for example, she dispels illusions about the recently discovered new human species: “Hence, as far as I can see, geneticists have not discovered a new hominin population or species—what they discovered was a piece of bone with DNA that did not fit their previous models of hominin species. And then they invented the ‘Denisova’ population to fill the gap.”
A must-read for anyone interested in history and/or genetics.
Thanks to the publisher, University of Chicago Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
While not exactly a page-turner, her book is written in a very accessible and engaging way, with many real-life examples of stories from the mass media, debunking their bold claims. Here, for example, she dispels illusions about the recently discovered new human species: “Hence, as far as I can see, geneticists have not discovered a new hominin population or species—what they discovered was a piece of bone with DNA that did not fit their previous models of hominin species. And then they invented the ‘Denisova’ population to fill the gap.”
A must-read for anyone interested in history and/or genetics.
Thanks to the publisher, University of Chicago Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.
January 3, 2025
Ana Källén's narrative encourages readers to question the stories surrounding ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis, distinguishing facts from exaggerated fiction. She highlights how political groups exploit these population studies for their own purposes, despite the flaws in aDNA analysis, the limiting process itself and the human bias involved in interpreting the results. Källén uses several relevant and current examples to showcase that many findings may not be as authentic as they appear or may be manipulated for political reasons.
The book illustrates how aDNA analysis has changed our understanding of history but also critiques the storytelling, political motives, and methodological limits that accompany it. It raises ethical concerns about the misuse of aDNA narratives and challenges readers to consider which stories should be regarded as factual. The author notes that aDNA evidence is often limited and may not fully support the narratives created around it. While the book fosters a healthy skepticism, which I really enjoyed, I was left a bit unsatisfied that the book only poses questions rather than providing more insight as to how to combat these issues.
The book illustrates how aDNA analysis has changed our understanding of history but also critiques the storytelling, political motives, and methodological limits that accompany it. It raises ethical concerns about the misuse of aDNA narratives and challenges readers to consider which stories should be regarded as factual. The author notes that aDNA evidence is often limited and may not fully support the narratives created around it. While the book fosters a healthy skepticism, which I really enjoyed, I was left a bit unsatisfied that the book only poses questions rather than providing more insight as to how to combat these issues.
December 31, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy. The opinion is my own.
Last book of 2024 and what an informative and well written book it was to end the year with.
Ana Källén takes us through a narrative that gently but firmly asks us to question about the aDNA stories that have been popping up for years and how much of them are based on actual fact and how many are sensationalized stories to the point of fiction. She points out how political groups can - and will - take these population studies for their own gain and identity politics despite the flaws in how aDNA analysis have - whether inherent of the human bias when analysing them or how humans will interpret what information actually comes out for their own gains. She gives us current and recent examples and exposes how these are not quite as advertised or are consequences of what is being done being taken for political reasons, even through the flaws in the logic or methodology.
This book of Dr Källén is a great read not just for the public in general but also researchers.
Last book of 2024 and what an informative and well written book it was to end the year with.
Ana Källén takes us through a narrative that gently but firmly asks us to question about the aDNA stories that have been popping up for years and how much of them are based on actual fact and how many are sensationalized stories to the point of fiction. She points out how political groups can - and will - take these population studies for their own gain and identity politics despite the flaws in how aDNA analysis have - whether inherent of the human bias when analysing them or how humans will interpret what information actually comes out for their own gains. She gives us current and recent examples and exposes how these are not quite as advertised or are consequences of what is being done being taken for political reasons, even through the flaws in the logic or methodology.
This book of Dr Källén is a great read not just for the public in general but also researchers.
October 15, 2024
Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis has revolutionized our understanding of the past, but this book reveals how these scientific findings are shaped by storytelling, political agendas, and the limitations of current methodologies. The author explores the ethical implications and potential misuse of aDNA narratives, questioning which stories we should accept as factual and the responsibility of scientists in shaping public perception.
This book offers a fascinating look at aDNA, both the science and the narratives around it. The author stresses that the evidence of aDNA is often scant and insufficient to support the stories told about it. The book is interesting and easy to read—and a good reminder to embrace skepticism.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book offers a fascinating look at aDNA, both the science and the narratives around it. The author stresses that the evidence of aDNA is often scant and insufficient to support the stories told about it. The book is interesting and easy to read—and a good reminder to embrace skepticism.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
December 26, 2024
Essential reading for anyone who found themselves enraptured by any of the recent pop sci books about aDNA. I happen to pretty much be the target audience, since I learned about about aDNA through those books and then took a class on how to create demographic models using aDNA. I've read a bunch of the papers discussed in this book, and in fact used data from some of the projects Källén critically examines (HGDP and the Reich lab database). She provides a decent overview of the subject, so if you don't know much, you'll be fine, but the more background you have, the more you'll probably appreciate this book. I would've appreciated a bit more analysis of the overimportance of prestigious institutions - she takes on David Reich, but doesn't address how his position at Harvard protects him from a lot of scrutiny.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2025
I know this book won’t capture everyone’s interest but man I really enjoyed the points made in this book!
Especially with my history in anthropology studies, this book provided some really good perspectives on how the use of aDNA in scientific studies of “population or identity” can create murky waters when it’s purported as the ultimate stamp of approval of scientific research.
We really need to remember that aDNA is not the whole picture and story, and that a lot of conclusions that are drawn with it are in part to the statistical models of choice, the computer programs of choice, and most importantly the political and cultural climate of the people involved (whether that be the ancient people whose remains are used for sampling, or the scientists that are doing the sampling)
Especially with my history in anthropology studies, this book provided some really good perspectives on how the use of aDNA in scientific studies of “population or identity” can create murky waters when it’s purported as the ultimate stamp of approval of scientific research.
We really need to remember that aDNA is not the whole picture and story, and that a lot of conclusions that are drawn with it are in part to the statistical models of choice, the computer programs of choice, and most importantly the political and cultural climate of the people involved (whether that be the ancient people whose remains are used for sampling, or the scientists that are doing the sampling)
June 27, 2025
I think everyone should read this book, but most especially people working in science education, genetics, as an introduction to aDNA in a genetics course, or anyone referencing aDNA in historical discussions. Some of the main points hit in the book: the slippery slope of projecting modern day norms onto long dead people of the past, how this is alarmingly akin to eugenics and “scientifically supported” genocides of the past, and how well intentioned people can fall into pushing these erroneous narratives that can act as “evidence” to people with nefarious intent.
October 15, 2024
I found the information in the book very accessible. It explains very well the use of ancient DNA and its pitfalls. As such, I think the book is important due to the widespread use of genomics in many areas. However I found the tone too literary with the use of too much jargon; I prefer more conversational tones. Overall, this book is well worth reading. Thank you to Netgalley and University of Chicago Press for the advance reader copy.
April 24, 2025
This book is interesting for people interested in this subject. My husband glazed over when I talked about it, but I enjoyed it.
May 28, 2025
This extremely informative and well-written book is accessible to the general audience. You'll learn about biases and misleading imagery used in popular news articles.
January 21, 2025
Full review and summary.
Imagine a world where a single strand of DNA is perceived as the ultimate truth—a definitive answer to questions of identity, ancestry, and history. In this book, Anna Källén exposes the flaws and misconceptions surrounding the growing fascination with ancient DNA (aDNA).
Källén bridges the often-misunderstood worlds of geneticists and historians, highlighting how each group can misinterpret the other's field. Geneticists may overlook the complexities of historical context, while archaeologists and the media often misrepresent the science, leading to sensationalist headlines.
Källén emphasizes that while DNA is a powerful tool, it is not a storytelling device. The responsibility lies with us—researchers, writers, and readers—to interpret genetic findings within their proper context and avoid oversimplification.
This is a great critique book that challenges us to handle genetic data with caution. A recommended read for anyone interested in the intersection of science and history, and a reminder that our past—and our identities—are shaped by much more than just our genes.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy provided in return for my feedback.
Imagine a world where a single strand of DNA is perceived as the ultimate truth—a definitive answer to questions of identity, ancestry, and history. In this book, Anna Källén exposes the flaws and misconceptions surrounding the growing fascination with ancient DNA (aDNA).
Källén bridges the often-misunderstood worlds of geneticists and historians, highlighting how each group can misinterpret the other's field. Geneticists may overlook the complexities of historical context, while archaeologists and the media often misrepresent the science, leading to sensationalist headlines.
Källén emphasizes that while DNA is a powerful tool, it is not a storytelling device. The responsibility lies with us—researchers, writers, and readers—to interpret genetic findings within their proper context and avoid oversimplification.
This is a great critique book that challenges us to handle genetic data with caution. A recommended read for anyone interested in the intersection of science and history, and a reminder that our past—and our identities—are shaped by much more than just our genes.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy provided in return for my feedback.
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