A Bird's-Eye View of Ancient Pacific Life

I'm excited to share that the University of Auckland has featured our latest research!

Our new paper explores how ancient DNA preserved in archaeological bone deposits is helping us reconstruct past biodiversity and better understand the relationships between people, birds and island ecosystems across the Pacific. By combining archaeology with molecular science, we're uncovering species that once lived alongside people and building a richer picture of Pacific environmental history.

This work reflects one of the reasons I am passionate about archaeology and natural science. Every fragment of bone has the potential to tell a story, not only about the past, but also about conservation, biodiversity and the remarkable connections between people and the natural world.

You can read more about the research in the University of Auckland feature:

I'm incredibly grateful to the wonderful team of collaborators, mentors and communities who made this research possible. This is just one step in an ongoing journey to better understand Pacific birds, archaeology and the living landscapes they inhabit.