Working towards repatriation using ancient DNA
University researchers are investigating how genetic data might be used to help return Ancestral remains of Indigenous Australians to Country.
Cultural sensitivity warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this article contains themes surrounding deceased persons and mentions Ancestral remains.
Thousands of human remains, including Indigenous remains collected throughout European colonisation for research or display, are stored in institutions across Australia. Many are unidentified, meaning there may be Ancestral remains yet to be returned to their communities and Traditional Lands. University of 亚洲色吧 researchers are investigating how genetic data can help determine provenance, furthering community-based repatriation.
鈥淩eturning Ancestral remains to Traditional Custodians, communities, and Country strengthens social, cultural, and local reconciliation implications across Australia,鈥 explains Corrin Paepke, a Kaurna woman and PhD student researcher working on the project at the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), one of the world鈥檚 leading ancient DNA research centres, located on Kaurna Yerta.聽
The centre鈥檚 director, Associate Professor Jeremy Austin, is supervising Paepke鈥檚 research project, along with co-supervisors Associate Professor Denice Higgins and Professor Adrian Linacre from Flinders University.
In her research, Paepke is undertaking an expert survey and literature research on the protocols for the discovery, handling, reporting, and management of human remains in Australia, including Ancestral remains. Her project will also examine non-destructive ways of retrieving genetic data from Ancestral remains by testing different methods on non-Indigenous samples. In the long term, this may allow for genetic analysis of Ancestral remains without causing any visible damage.
Analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA), which is recovered from archaeological and paleontological specimens, can potentially be used as a tool to help identify human remains by establishing provenance and genetic links to families or descendants. While aDNA is increasingly used by archaeologists, anthropologists, and forensic scientists, Paepke鈥檚 approach stands apart from other research.
鈥淪ome elements of my project differ from traditional westernised applications of aDNA methods because results are not solely driven by a desire to push the boundaries of new technologies; instead, they鈥檙e used as a tool requested by Indigenous communities,鈥 she says.
As a proud Kaurna woman, Paepke has a strong connection to this research.
鈥淚 have a privileged and unique standpoint as an Aboriginal woman who is also a researcher, where my knowledges, professional position, and tools can assist in informing communities and descendants for unconditional community-based repatriation efforts,鈥 she says.
What's next?
The research currently being undertaken by Paepke provides the foundations for future repatriation work, which would be undertaken with and alongside appropriate permissions from Elders, Indigenous communities, human research ethics authorities, and state and federal governments.
Paepke will continue to work closely with Indigenous communities throughout her research.
鈥淎 major element of my project includes working directly alongside Indigenous communities, Elders and Traditional Owners to assist and inform community-based repatriation efforts of Ancestral remains,鈥 Paepke says. 鈥淭his research helps to empower Indigenous voices throughout all stages of the project, which centralises working with and for communities.鈥
鈥淥ver the years, my project will add to the tools that assist in returning provenance, guardianship, and the rightful return of our Old and displaced People so they can rest again back onto their appropriate Country.鈥