Lawrence Straus on Interpreting Genetic Data

Just as archaeological artifacts and style can be used to argue the opposite sides of diffusion vs. independent invention debates, so too can multivariate analyses of ancient human teeth and bones be used to support differing interpretations of modern maps of genes. Often the conflicting interpretations appear equally convincing. We must learn that the reading of gene frequencies may not be any more precise or straightforward than the archaeological interpretation of split-base bone points or Linearband pots or the physical anthropological diagnosis of metric and nonmetric traits from human burials.

Lawrence G. Straus. 1998. Introduction to "The peoplings of Europe: a J.A.R. debate." Journal of Anthropological Research 58:399-419. Contributing writers include Marcel Otte, L. Luca Cavalli-Sforza, G. A. Clark, Marek Zvelebil, and Colin Renfrew.