"Unlocking the Secrets of Ancient Plant Life: DNA Extracted from 2,900-Year-Old Clay Brick"

Researchers have successfully extracted ancient DNA from a 2,900-year-old clay brick originating from the palace of Neo-Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II. The brick, currently housed at the National Museum of Denmark, contains a cuneiform inscription dating it precisely to within a decade. By adapting a protocol used for other porous materials, the team extracted DNA from the brick's inner core and identified 34 distinct taxonomic groups of plants, including cabbage and heather. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for extracting genetic material from archaeological clay sources worldwide, providing valuable insights into past flora and fauna and aiding in the understanding of ancient civilizations.