Ancient DNA extracted from a 25,000-year-old jewellery provides surprising data about its user.

Scientists have found a way to extract ancient DNA from a pierced deer tooth likely worn as a pendant. The research, published in the journal Nature, revealed intriguing details about its ancient wearer and is the first time scientists have successfully isolated ancient human DNA from a Stone Age artifact. The pendant was worn by a woman who lived between 19,000 and 25,000 years ago, belonging to a group known as Ancient North Eurasians, which have a genetic connection to the first Americans. The new method will allow scientists to learn about the sex and genetic ancestry of the Stone Age makers, wearers and users of an array of bone tools and ornaments unearthed from digs around the world. The technique may also be able to reveal whether a tool was used by a Neanderthal or our own Homo sapiens ancestors.