An introduction to the study of ancient DNA - DNA which can be recovered and analyzed from clinical, museum, archaeological and palaeontological specimens. The text explains how ancient DNA research has been revolutionized by the application of polymerase chain reaction technology.

The range of subjects reflects the wide diversity of applications that are emerging in research on ancient DNA, including the study of DNA to analyze kinship, recovery of DNA from organisms trapped in amber, ancient DNA from human remains preserved in a variety of locations and conditions, DNA recovered from herbarium and museum specimens, and DNA isolated from ancient plant seeds or compression fossils. Ancient DNA will serve as a valuable source of information, ideas, and protocols for anyone interested in this extraordinary field.