We lump together here Deep Ancestry, Genetic Ancestry and Ancient DNA (aka aDNA). They all involve the study of pre-written-history populations, their development and movement. While really distinct terms, they are activities generally outside the scope and use of Genetic Genealogy and surname studies as covered here.
Many of the original analysis techniques used for patriline and matriline studies in Genetic Genealogy are actually developed and furthered in these fields. Although this topic does not apply to genealogy so directly, it is useful to understand. Many who are doing written-record genealogy may start to prattle in these non-written, further back histories of humankind and the population lineages. Just as historical origin archaeology and anthropology have overlaps, so do genealogy with the (DNA) history of populations from before written records.
You are likely well aware by now that DNA testing indicates your ancestry from well before written records; not just your genealogical one. In fact, those ethnicity pie-charts (based on a science known as ad-mixture), are created from studies into genetic ancestry. The phylogenetic trees that have become so popular in Genetic Genealogy are actually results of studies in deep ancestry.
Ancient DNA (or aDNA for short; and not to be confused with the term atDNA used for the autosomes) is often the science of extracting DNA from remains of humans who died thousands to tens of thousands years ago. Such extraction, although more error prone due to degraded DNA, can provide great insight into the populations in a particular location. And the movement of populations through time.
Many of the original analysis techniques used for patriline and matriline studies in Genetic Genealogy are actually developed and furthered in these fields. Although this topic does not apply to genealogy so directly, it is useful to understand. Many who are doing written-record genealogy may start to prattle in these non-written, further back histories of humankind and the population lineages. Just as historical origin archaeology and anthropology have overlaps, so do genealogy with the (DNA) history of populations from before written records.
You are likely well aware by now that DNA testing indicates your ancestry from well before written records; not just your genealogical one. In fact, those ethnicity pie-charts (based on a science known as ad-mixture), are created from studies into genetic ancestry. The phylogenetic trees that have become so popular in Genetic Genealogy are actually results of studies in deep ancestry.
Ancient DNA (or aDNA for short; and not to be confused with the term atDNA used for the autosomes) is often the science of extracting DNA from remains of humans who died thousands to tens of thousands years ago. Such extraction, although more error prone due to degraded DNA, can provide great insight into the populations in a particular location. And the movement of populations through time.