Turkey, Sweden to analyze DNA of Neolithic people remains found in Azerbaijan
By Kamila Aliyeva
DNA samples of the remains of Neolithic people discovered on the territory of Azerbaijan will be studied in laboratories of Turkey and Sweden using most modern technologies.
Professor of the Anthropology Department of the Hacettepe University, located in the Turkish capital of Ankara, Dr. Yilmaz Selim Erdal, at the invitation of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), began research in the Institute's scientific fund, the institution informed on July 2.
The research work is carried out within the framework of the project entitled “NEOGENE: Archaeogenomic Analysis of Genetic and Cultural Interactions in Neolithic Anatolian Societies” by Dr. Mehmet Somel, Associate Professor at the Middle East Technical University (METU).
The project involves the study of samples at the laboratories of the Middle East University, Hacettepe University and the University of Stockholm (Sweden).
The materials of the archeological monuments discovered and explored on the territory of the Tovuz region by an expedition led by Farhad Guliyev, Ph.D. in history, were included for study in an international scientific project.
Tovuz is located in the western part of Azerbaijan on the border with Georgia and Armenia, 426 kilometers from Baku.
According to Selim Erdal, during the analysis of DNA of human remains, first discovered in this settlement in Azerbaijan, the relationship and genetic connection of people of the Neolithic period will be investigated.
After that, the issue of kinship, the genetic connection of the ancient agricultural and cattle-breeding population of the Southern and Northern Caucasus, Anatolia and Europe during the Neolithic period will be clarified.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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