Ancient DNA Course

The Malcolm H. Wiener Laboratory for Archaeological Science of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens is offering an intensive week-long course to introduce participants to methods and applications in ancient DNA (aDNA) research. The following researchers will lead the course: 
Maria A. Spyrou, Jun. Prof. of Microbial Archaeogenetics at the Institute for Archaeological Science, University of Tübingen, Germany, 
Dr. Eirini Skourtanioti, PI FORTH-IMBB Ancient DNA Lab, Heraklion, Greece, research associate at the Francis Crick Institute, London, UK, and MPI-EVA,
Anthi Tiliakou, PhD candidate, MPI-EVA, University of Tübingen, and University of Nottingham, UK. 

Additionally, the course will feature lectures from invited speakers. For the 2027 program, invited speakers will include Jun. Prof. Dr. Cosimo Posth (Institute for Archaeological Sciences, University of Tübingen), Dr. Arturo Cueva-Temprana (FORTH-IMBB), Dr. Thiseas Lamnidis (MPI-EVA. Dept. of Archaeogenetics), and Dr. Christina Margariti and Panagiotis Christodoulou, MSc (Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Greece). Two additional speakers will be announced by January 5th 2027.

Ancient DNA has gained traction as an innovative tool in the disciplines of evolutionary biology and archaeology, as it can provide complementary, often previously unknown, insights into the human past. With a spectrum of research directions ranging from interactions between archaic human groups and the role of human mobility in cultural evolution, to the reconstruction of past disease epidemics and human biological adaptations through time, this field has been undergoing rapid methodological and conceptual advancements over the last decade.

The main objectives of this course are to offer a theoretical and basic technical training in the analysis and interpretation of aDNA data through lectures, seminars and interactive hands-on practical sessions. By the end of the course, participants will be familiar with most aspects of aDNA research and the different insights aDNA can offer into the past.

The course will explore key themes in aDNA research, such as:

• Chemical features of aDNA
• DNA degradation and authentication
• Sampling for aDNA
• DNA sequencing methods
• Inference of genetic ancestry & demography
• Estimation of biological relatedness and insights into kinship
• Pathogen evolution and past epidemics
• Ethical issues in aDNA research: Epistemology, Terminology and Interdisciplinarity (ETI)

A maximum of 16 participants will be accepted into the course. Priority will be given to graduate students, post-docs, and researchers in biology, genetics, microbiology, archaeology, bioarchaeology, or related disciplines who are not currently working with aDNA but wish to gain exposure to state-of-the-art methods and tools in the field for future research. 

The course fee is 500 euros ($550 USD). Accommodation is not included, but we will offer recommendations and assistance to course participants with arranging accommodations.
The course will take place from May 17-21, 2027. 
The course will take place in Athens, Greece. 

Application Details

Applications should include a brief cover letter outlining the candidate’s background and interest in participating in the course, a CV, and names and email addresses of two referees. Referees might be contacted for references after the application deadline, if necessary. Participants who successfully complete the course of instruction will receive a certificate detailing the content of the course. Applicants will be notified by March. 

Further information or questions?

Contact: ascsa.adnacourse@gmail.com

The American School of Classical Studies at Athens does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national or ethnic origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation when considering admission to any form of membership or application for employment.