name
Songül Alpaslan-Roodenberg
description
Harvard Medical School, Boston, US
Region: Turkey and the Balkans
I’m Songül Alpaslan-Roodenberg. I am a paleo- and physical anthropologist of Turkish origin and live in the Netherlands. Turkey and the Balkans constitute my study area. I have examined many human skeletons from graves in archaeological excavations, especially in Turkey and Bulgaria.
Less than 10 years ago ancient DNA analysis was not well known by archaeologists and museum staff. But those who came into contact with this subject responded positively. In those days the protocol of sample taking was simple: the approval of an archaeologist, anthropologist, and the concerned museum authorities was sufficient. But since the growing importance of DNA analysis attracted more and more people, the number of rules increased.
As for Turkey, it is allowed to analyze ancient human remains in any domestic laboratory after following the procedures established by government institutions. However, if you want to have it done in a laboratory abroad, this procedure will take more time.
In the last few years, I took human bone samples covering different periods and regions and we were successful in obtaining permissions by strictly following these rules. As a result, all the sampled material could be analyzed abroad/in the Reich Lab and we expect the results to be published soon.
I think the general rules we propose in our article about ethics are also applicable to our region. In fact, they have already been applied.
Actually, if I consider my own sampling region, the most important thing about permits is not the attitude of the official authorities, but the undesirable competition between laboratories. Instead of competing on this issue, I believe that collaborating in scientific projects will be more productive for everyone. I hope future sample projects will give us opportunities for better cooperation.
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/proceeding-caution