Sains Malaysiana 43(10)(2014): 1523–1535 Molecular Mitochondrial DNA and Radiographic Approaches for Human Archaeology Identifcation (Pendekatan Molekular DNA Mitokondria dan Radiograf untuk Pengenalpastian Arkeologi Manusia) RUS DINA RUS DIN, SHAHRUL HISHAM ZAINAL ARIFFIN*, SAHIDAN SENAFI, ROHAYA MEGAT ABDUL WAHAB & INTAN ZARINA ZAINOL ABIDIN ABSTRACT Ancient remains are considered very valuable artefacts, as they allow for the study of ancient cultures, phylogeny, evolution and the reconstruction of demographic history. To obtain all the information contained within remains, the investigation of such samples requires the expertise and various techniques from multiple felds of study. The present review focuses on the molecular biology and radiographic approaches used to identify ancient samples. Studies of ancient remains face various limitations; for example, the quality and quantity of the ancient samples can affect the diffculty of the investigations. Due to these limitations, new sophisticated techniques are being introduced to replace the earlier conventional techniques. A search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Science Finder to provide a new and timely review on the molecular mitochondrial DNA and radiographic analysis for human archaeology identifcation. The present review has determined that molecular biological approaches are very accurate and useful for the use in the ancestral determination of incomplete specimens, whereas observations of the dental pulp chamber are suitable for age at death estimations in both adults and children. However, these techniques are expensive and require expert personnel. Therefore, conventional approaches remain the favourite methods of most institutions, especially in Asia. Keywords: Ancestral and age; human archaeology; molecular analysis; radiographic approach ABSTRAK Sampel purba dianggap artifak yang sangat berharga kerana ia membolehkan kajian mengenai budaya purba, flogenetik, evolusi dan penyusunan semula sejarah demograf. Bagi mendapatkan semua maklumat yang terkandung di dalam tinggalan, kajian sampel tersebut memerlukan kepakaran dan pelbagai teknik daripada pelbagai bidang kajian. Penyelidikan ini memfokus kepada pendekatan biologi molekul dan radiograf yang digunakan untuk mengenal pasti sampel purba. Kajian tinggalan purba berdepan dengan pelbagai batasan; sebagai contoh, kualiti dan kuantiti sampel purba boleh memberi kesan kepada tahap kesukaran kajian. Akibat daripada batasan ini, teknik baru yang canggih telah diperkenalkan untuk menggantikan teknik konvensional. Pencarian telah dilakukan menggunakan PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct dan Science Finder bagi memberikan penilaian yang terbaru terhadap analisis molekul DNA mitokondria dan radiograf untuk mengenal pasti arkeologi manusia. Penilaian ini mendapati pendekatan terkini biologi molekul dalam menentukan keturunan adalah sangat tepat dan berguna terhadap spesimen yang tidak lengkap manakala pemerhatian bagi ruang pulpa gigi adalah sesuai untuk menganggar umur semasa kematian terhadap kedua-dua orang dewasa dan kanak-kanak. Walau bagaimanapun, teknik tersebut adalah mahal dan memerlukan individu pakar. Oleh itu, pendekatan konvensional kekal sebagai kaedah yang digemari dalam kebanyakan institusi terutamanya di Asia. Kata kunci: Analisis molekul; arkeologi manusia; keturunan dan umur; pendekatan radiograf INTRODUCTION Human archaeology is the study of the human past. Ancient human remains can be found in various forms, including complete skeleton, fragmented bones or mummified remains. Human bones are attached by cartilage; however, over time, the cartilage will degrade, leaving the skeleton dismembered. Ancient samples can provide important information regarding human evolution, prehistoric customs and certain ancient diseases (Ambrose & Krigbaum 2003). The study of human identifcation is referred to as forensic anthropology (Cattaneo 2007). Ancient remains can be analysed to identify gender (Shahrul Hisham et al. 2009), ancestry (Durtschi et al. 2009), age at the time of death (Sebecic et al. 2010), diseases (Klaus et al. 2010) and sometimes trauma (Baustian et al. 2012). In the modern technological world, multiple approaches can be applied to ancient samples to obtain such information as mentioned previously. The methods used for anthropological examinations include morphological examinations, anthropometric measurements, radiographic examinations and biochemical and DNA profling (Blau & Briggs 2011). The most fundamental question when examining an ancient specimen is whether it is of human origins. The morphology of the cranial bone or skull can be used