Ancient DNA provides fascinating information about our deepest human family roots—and could spark a relative’s interest in testing. Here’s what you should know about ancient DNA and genetic genealogy testing.

Most of our genealogy efforts focus on finding the names of family members to fill out our tree. But while some of us can go back two, three, five or even more generations, there is always going to be a point when you just can’t go any further.

While for the genealogist this might be a source of frustration and disappointment, this time period beyond genealogical records is actually an area of great interest for many non-genealogists. 

What is ancient DNA?

Ancient DNA, also known as aDNA, is DNA gathered from remains from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of years ago. These specimens are often found in archaeological sites and the DNA can be extracted from various organic materials, such as tissue, bone, or teeth.

How far back does ancient DNA go?

Ancient DNA can go back pretty far! Since ancient DNA is a lot older than the DNA we collect from ourselves and family members, it is much more fragile and can be harder to analyze. The DNA can easily degrade and become unusable, or become contaminated by the DNA of other humans handling it. The oldest human genome that has been fully reconstructed using ancient DNA was done in 2021 using a 45,000-year-old skull discovered in Czechia.

Locations of the Koněprusy cave in Czechia, where the Zlatý kůň human remains were found, and of other fossils with an age of at least ~40,000 years that yielded genome-wide data (Ust’-Ishim, Oase 1 and Tianyuan) or mtDNA (Fumane 2 and Bacho Kiro). b, Micro-computed tomography-based virtual reconstruction of the Zlatý kůň skull in frontal and lateral view. Image from study by Kay Prüfer, Cosimo Posth, He Yu, Alexander Stoessel, Maria A. Spyrou, Thibaut Deviese, Marco Mattonai, Erika Ribechini, Thomas Higham, Petr Velemínský, Jaroslav Brůžek & Johannes Krause. Available via Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 4.0. 

Since ancient DNA goes so far back in the history of humans, it won’t show you how you’re related to your more recent relatives, but you can learn about migration patterns and genetic changes that have developed over a much longer period of time.

Use ancient DNA to spark family interest

Since we are always looking for ways to involve our friends and family in our family history work, getting them to think about any ancestor, even one who will never occupy a place on your chart, is a move in the right direction. Our DNA test results provide us with connections to ancient humans (and even proto-humans) that just might spark your relative’s interest in DNA testing.

You will want to encourage a relative interested in ancient DNA to test with either 23andMe or FamilyTreeDNA, which both provide details about our ancient history as well as clues to our more recent ancestral past.

23andMe

23andMe provides a Neanderthal Ancestry Report. Using 2,872 DNA markers that have known Neanderthal origin, clients learn how many are present in their DNA. They even report if any of those markers are associated with Neanderthal traits like back hair and height. It can be fun to compare those traits with family and friends. My Dad receives some good-hearted ribbing from his four brothers because he carries the most Neanderthal DNA of them all. With this fun and interesting introduction to DNA, hopefully you can steer the conversation to more genealogical topics.

If you have 23andMe+ Premium, you’ll also have access to Historical Matches, which can connect you to over 300 historical people. Most of the historical people are anonymous, such as Vikings and Catoctin Furnace Ironworkers, but 23andMe provides profiles on the people with information about when and where they lived.

FamilyTreeDNA

FamilyTreeDNA is the only testing company that offers mtDNA and YDNA tests. The DNA analyzed for these tests goes back thousands of years and can provide you with haplogroup information and migration patterns.

You can also use MyTrueAncestry to learn more about ancient DNA. MyTrueAncestry is not a testing site; you’ll have to take a DNA test from a consumer DNA testing company, then download that file from their site, and finally upload the file to MyTrueAncestry to compare your DNA to ancient DNA samples.

Again, while knowing this information may not break down any genealogical brick walls, it just might break down the wall of resistance between you and a family member who has thus far been unwilling to participate in your family research efforts. So if other tactics have failed, try to interest your family member in their ancient genetic history, with the goal of also gaining some valuable genealogical knowledge.

A new era of DNA testing

Developments in technology have revolutionized the reach of DNA testing and introduced a new era of innovation to DNA testing. This can lead to a new wave of discoveries for you too! Learn more about the potential DNA has in your family tree and how to take advantage of it with our free guide on getting started with DNA.

Yes please! I’d like that guide.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in September 2018 on genealogygems.com and was significantly updated in June 2024