Using sedimentary ancient DNA in coastal and marine contexts to explore past human–environmental interactions in Australia

• Published in: Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological sciences Vol. 380; no. 1930; p. 20240032
• Main Authors: Campbell, Matthew A., Ward, Ingrid, Blyth, Alison, Allentoft, Morten E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society 10.07.2025
• Subjects: Australia; Biodiversity; DNA, Ancient - analysis; Ecosystem; Geologic Sediments - analysis; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Humans; Oceans and Seas; Review; Australia; human–environmental interactions; sedimentary ancient DNA; ecological change; sea-level rise

Over the 65 000 years of human occupation in Australia, sea levels have fluctuated significantly, notably rising from −120 m around 21 000 years ago, submerging vast areas of the continental shelf. Current coastal ecosystems stabilized about 5000 years ago, leaving many early cultural landscapes und...