Prestigious AAAS award for the study of ancient DNA in Native American horses

This important work in re-establishing the historical truth about the very early use of horses by indigenous peoples has been recognized by the scientific community and has been awarded this prestigious prize by the journal Science. The GABI unit of SAPS (BIGE team) and the Musée de l'Armée des Invalides are among the many co-authors for their contribution of original ancient DNA samples of French horses of ancient breeds (Ancien Régime, First and Second Empire). The GeT-Plage sequencing platform (INRAE Toulouse) is also a co-author for some of the genomes sequenced in France.

Awarded at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), this is the organization's oldest and most prestigious prize. It is awarded annually to an outstanding publication in the field of science.

It was awarded to the team of diverse authors of the article Early Dispersal of Domestic Horses in the Great Plains and Northern Rockies, published in the journal Science, Spring 2023. The article, which combines archaeozoological study of ancient horses from archaeological sites and museum collections across the continent with cutting-edge genomics and indigenous traditional scientific knowledge, has helped rewrite the history of humans and horses in North America, showing that horses were older in indigenous societies throughout the region than could be inferred from European or American historical records. Most importantly, the research demonstrated the enhanced research experience and scientific power that comes from thoughtful, cross-cultural partnerships based on equality.

Funds from the grant will be used to create a new endowment at the University of Colorado, named in memory of Sam High Crane, study co-author, elder, knowledge keeper and cultural educator of the Sicangu Lakota people, now deceased. The endowment will help support research and training for indigenous perspectives and young professionals in the fields of archaeology, archaeogenetics and the museum world.

Contact :

• Eric Barrey