Ancient DNA offers clues to physical origins of Dead Sea Scrolls

DNA fingerprinting is helping researchers to understand the patchwork of archæological fragments known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Through genetic analysis, researchers have been able to reconstruct the origin of some of the ancient parchments. In particular, they realised that two pieces once considered part of the same manuscript were in fact made from different animal hides — one from sheep and the other from cow.