Dear Miranda,

This probably doesn't help you at all, but I have read of DNA being 
detected (sucesfully) by PCR on archeological remains. (I stand 
corrected, but this has also been used on blood residues found on 
ancient weapons) This would obviously destroy the bone 
completely, but you don't state what exactly you are looking for.

Best regards
Louise Renton
Bone research unit 
Johannesburg
South Africa


On 11 Dec 01, at 16:13, Miranda Jans wrote:

> Dear Histonetters,
> 
> I work at the Dutch state service for archaeological heritage
> management, where I am currently working on archaeological bone
> histology. This is often very fragile material so decalcification is
> not always possible.  Is it possible to stain for (fragments of) DNA
> on sections of undecalcified bone? Or is in situ hybridisation an
> option?
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> 
> Miranda Jans
> State service for Archaeological Heritage
> Amersfoort, The Netherlands
> m.jans@archis.nl 
> 
> 
>