If you are interested in popular science, you must remember news stories about groundbreaking discoveries made thanks to the decoding of so-called ancient DNA (aDNA) - genetic code extracted from thousands of years old remains. I have been fascinated by it since reading "Neanderthal Man: In Search of Lost Genomes" by Svante Pääbo, but after this book I will be much more skeptical about bold claims based on this technology. The author is concerned with “grandiose stories about people and societies in the ancient past that have gained credence with the god trick of aDNA genomics” and „reckless kind of storytelling that has been associated with aDNA studies,” and elegantly proves her point.

While not exactly a page-turner, her book is written in a very accessible and engaging way, with many real-life examples of stories from the mass media, debunking their bold claims. Here, for example, she dispels illusions about the recently discovered new human species: “Hence, as far as I can see, geneticists have not discovered a new hominin population or species—what they discovered was a piece of bone with DNA that did not fit their previous models of hominin species. And then they invented the ‘Denisova’ population to fill the gap.”

A must-read for anyone interested in history and/or genetics.

Thanks to the publisher, University of Chicago Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

A concise, concentrated book on the many limits of aDNA and the complexities of archaeological knowledge; a warning about the boundaries of science and the temptations of hype; something of a manifesto. Limited in its own ways, but well worth reading, in any case.

Yet, to my mind, archaeologist Anna Källén is too abstract in her approach, concreteness and immediacy lost to somewhat arcane quotation of theorists and the judiciously neutral re-tellings of the news surrounding aDNA in popular culture. I fear the point of The Trouble with Ancient DNA might be easily lost to people who aren't already cognizant of the complexities and dangers of producing knowledge about the human past.

Ana Källén's narrative encourages readers to question the stories surrounding ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis, distinguishing facts from exaggerated fiction. She highlights how political groups exploit these population studies for their own purposes, despite the flaws in aDNA analysis, the limiting process itself and the human bias involved in interpreting the results. Källén uses several relevant and current examples to showcase that many findings may not be as authentic as they appear or may be manipulated for political reasons.

The book illustrates how aDNA analysis has changed our understanding of history but also critiques the storytelling, political motives, and methodological limits that accompany it. It raises ethical concerns about the misuse of aDNA narratives and challenges readers to consider which stories should be regarded as factual. The author notes that aDNA evidence is often limited and may not fully support the narratives created around it. While the book fosters a healthy skepticism, which I really enjoyed, I was left a bit unsatisfied that the book only poses questions rather than providing more insight as to how to combat these issues.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy. The opinion is my own.

Last book of 2024 and what an informative and well written book it was to end the year with.

Ana Källén takes us through a narrative that gently but firmly asks us to question about the aDNA stories that have been popping up for years and how much of them are based on actual fact and how many are sensationalized stories to the point of fiction. She points out how political groups can - and will - take these population studies for their own gain and identity politics despite the flaws in how aDNA analysis have - whether inherent of the human bias when analysing them or how humans will interpret what information actually comes out for their own gains. She gives us current and recent examples and exposes how these are not quite as advertised or are consequences of what is being done being taken for political reasons, even through the flaws in the logic or methodology.

This book of Dr Källén is a great read not just for the public in general but also researchers

Essential reading for anyone who found themselves enraptured by any of the recent pop sci books about aDNA. I happen to pretty much be the target audience, since I learned about about aDNA through those books and then took a class on how to create demographic models using aDNA. I've read a bunch of the papers discussed in this book, and in fact used data from some of the projects Källén critically examines (HGDP and the Reich lab database). She provides a decent overview of the subject, so if you don't know much, you'll be fine, but the more background you have, the more you'll probably appreciate this book. I would've appreciated a bit more analysis of the overimportance of prestigious institutions - she takes on David Reich, but doesn't address how his position at Harvard protects him from a lot of scrutiny.

Why did it take so long for the limitations of ancient DNA research to be exposed? There had been some criticism beforehand, but it was swallowed up by the flashy headlines in the media that our view of the earliest history of mankind had to be completely rewritten. The blame for this not only lay with journalists, but also with a number of scientists who grossly exaggerated the relevance and reliability of their research, out of ambition and possibly also to get more funding for their work. Swedish archaeologist Anna Källèn, (Stockholm University) lists all the criticism here. And she does so with verve: “a few scientists and scholars who have exploited the symbolic value of DNA to tell sensational stories have been rewarded with major research grants, prizes, and public visibility. And those evangelical claims that DNA offers a perfect window onto the past have gained purchase in the popular press and have the greatest impact on broader audiences.” Källèn does not claim that archeologic genetics is worthless, on the contrary, but she is particularly offended by the absolute certainty with which (some) genetic researchers send their claims out into the world, while in reality that research is subject to all kinds of limitations. Ultimately, it turns out that it is mainly methodological limitations, the interpretation and the narrative translation of that research that determine the strength or weakness of this research, just like in all other historical research. Källèn explains it clearly. This is a welcome relativization of a new field of research in historical science. Although the disadvantage of such a publication is of course that it does not immediately provide a corrected substantive picture. More in my History account on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6875957959. Thanks for the ARC from Netgalley and the publisher.

I found the information in the book very accessible. It explains very well the use of ancient DNA and its pitfalls. As such, I think the book is important due to the widespread use of genomics in many areas. However I found the tone too literary with the use of too much jargon; I prefer more conversational tones. Overall, this book is well worth reading. Thank you to Netgalley and University of Chicago Press for the advance reader copy.

Ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis has revolutionized our understanding of the past, but this book reveals how these scientific findings are shaped by storytelling, political agendas, and the limitations of current methodologies. The author explores the ethical implications and potential misuse of aDNA narratives, questioning which stories we should accept as factual and the responsibility of scientists in shaping public perception.

This book offers a fascinating look at aDNA, both the science and the narratives around it. The author stresses that the evidence of aDNA is often scant and insufficient to support the stories told about it. The book is interesting and easy to read—and a good reminder to embrace skepticism.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Trouble with Ancient DNA: Telling Stories of the Past with Genomic Science by Anna Källén is a thought-provoking exploration of how genomic science shapes our understanding of history. Källén, an expert in archaeology and ancient studies, delves into the complexities and ethical considerations of interpreting ancient DNA (aDNA) findings.

The book examines how scientific discoveries are often intertwined with storytelling, influenced by contemporary methodologies, technologies, and even political interests. Källén’s narrative is both insightful and critical, questioning the narratives we construct about our ancestors based on genetic data. She highlights how certain aspects, such as sex, eye color, and skin color, are often sensationalized, overshadowing the broader and more nuanced stories that only aDNA can tell.

This book helps bridge the gap between scientific rigor and accessible storytelling. Källén uses case studies, such as the analysis of Cheddar Man and ancient migrations, to illustrate how aDNA research can be both enlightening and misleading. She emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations and the potential misuse of genetic data in shaping historical narratives.

Källén’s writing is engaging and accessible, making complex scientific concepts understandable for a general audience. She skillfully balances technical details with broader reflections on the implications of aDNA research. The book also addresses the responsibilities of scientists and storytellers in ensuring that the narratives constructed from genetic data are accurate and ethically sound.

The Trouble with Ancient DNA is a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of science, history, and ethics. Källén’s critical perspective encourages readers to think deeply about the stories we tell and the evidence we use to construct them.

This is a public service announcement in book form! My grand takeaway is that the average person (myself included) just doesn't know enough about DNA (ancient or otherwise) to avoid being duped by certain media-propagated narratives (dare I write "fibs"?). Headlining cases like the Viking warrior found to be female following aDNA analysis simply illustrate the mental models we have about the ancient world and ourselves. I appreciated the references to Donna Haraway's situated knowledge: we are imperfect and biased and we need to acknowledge this. I laughed at the idea of a "violent matriarchs in central Europe trafficking male sex slaves" ... but the author is right: DNA doesn't tell us the full story or any story, really. This is all "genetic astrology" (Mark Thomas). At the same time, the author sometimes dances around the problems she's trying to raise, often through vague references ("a despot in a country not far from where I sit") or endless philosophical questions. I didn't quite understand what she was going for about race and science. I felt that I had to do a lot of work to fill in the gaps. For instance, "can we say that a population has 'died out' while maintaining that the science has nothing to do with the construction of race or racial typology?" What the author's saying here (after several re-reads) is "no." If DNA cannot be used to define race, then it can't be used to undefine race. I suspect that others will have similar trouble parsing this otherwise worthy and needed text.

The Trouble with Ancient DNA discusses how information from DNA can be incomplete which in turn can create stories of archaeological finds that are false/misleading. There is discussion of the limitations of interpretation of DNA at the present and where it has led to discoveries which cannot be confirmed. Real world examples are used and does it answer the question: is ancient DNA really useful at this time?

This book is a critique of our growing obsession with DNA as the ultimate key to the past. Bridging the gap between geneticists and historians, Källén skillfully exposes how easily ancient DNA findings can be oversimplified, misrepresented, and sensationalized. With clear explanations, she challenges the notion that DNA alone can tell us everything about our history and identity.

Källén’s insights remind us that while DNA is a powerful tool, it is not a magical answer to the complexities of the human story. The Trouble with Ancient DNA is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the intersections of science, history, and identity.