Paleopathology in Korea

Thanks for Dr. Kenoyer

2011-08-24T17:56:00.001+09:00

I was happy to see you all in RTD with Dr. Kenoyer.

Thanks for all.

Dong Hoon

RTD with Dr. Kenoyer

2011-08-11T10:31:00.000+09:00

We are happy to have RTD with Dr. Kenoyer, one of the greatest researchers studying on the early civilization of human history, the Harappan Civilization.

Jonathan Mark Kenoyer is a Professor in Dept of Anthropology, U.W. Madison, teaching archaeology and ancient technology. His main focus being the Indus Valley civilization, having worked in Pakistan and India for the past several decades. Born in India, Dr. Kenoyer spent his early days there before leaving for the USA. He has BA in Anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley and an MA and PhD (1983) in South Asian Archaeology from the same university. He speaks several South Asian languages and is fluent in Urdu, the major language used in Pakistan. He has conducted archaeological research and excavations at both Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, two of the most important early sites in Pakistan. His interest in ancient technologies and crafts has led him to study a broad range of cultural range of cultural periods in South Asia as well as other regions of the world. He has been the director of various Harappa Archaeological Research Project, a long-term study of urban development in the Indus Valley. As a specialist for one of the longest civilizations in the world, he will show us new insights into ancient health and mobility, based on his rich experiences of Harappan Cemetery excavations.

RTD of Dr. Nagaoka Ended With a Flourish

2011-08-10T14:29:00.001+09:00

RTD on August 10 was successfully ended. Dr. Tomohito Nagaoka presented the past academic history of anthropological science in Japan; and showed the prospect of studies on human remains from ancient and medieval sites of Japan and Korea. After the session, happy dinner time followed as usual. We will have another RTD session on Aug 23, 2011, in which Dr. Kenoyer will be invited to SNU.

Round Table Discussion on August

2011-07-21T18:30:00.002+09:00

We cordially invite you to our Round Table Discussion on August, 2011.

Abstract of Lecture by Dr. Tomohito Nagaoka

The medieval period of Japan spans nearly 400 years from the late 12th century to the end of the 16th century and the Edo period is a segment of Japanese history that lasted from 1603 to 1867, marking the governance of the Tokugawa Shogunate. During the periods, the rise to political power of warrior class and the establishment of a military government resulted in continuous disturbances and death by violence. This lecture reviews previous studies and recent advances in medieval and Edo-period anthropological studies, focusing on morphological features, paleopathology, and paleodemography.

(1) The reviews of morphological features revealed that the medieval skulls have more dolichocephalic, chamaeprosopic, and alveolar-protrusive crania than those of other periods, and that the estimated stature of the medieval and Edo periods is the shortest during the thousands of years. Although the causes in secular trends in Japanese crania are unknown, the specific features in medieval skeletons were possibly related to nutritional and environmental factors.

(2) Paleopathological cases, including weapon-related traumas, leprosy, tuberculosis, and cribra orbitalia, are reviewed. One of the most important findings of the medieval and Edo-period anthropological studies is the presence of weapon-related traumas caused by sharp-edged weapon. Weapon-related traumas of human skeletal remains from archaeological sites are direct evidence of interpersonal violence in past human populations and reveal their life and death situations.

(3) In the paleodemographic perspectives, I examined more than one hundred non-adult skeletons from the Sakai-kango-toshi 871 site in Edo-period Japan and developed new aging technique. The use of the Bayesian method for fetal age estimation yielded a peak of deaths at 10 months of gestation. The concentration on full-term of gestation implied deaths related to birth, which is consistent with natural mortality. This is the first to demonstrate mortality profiles of nonadults in pre-modern Japan.

This lecture deals with the advance in the medieval and Edo anthropological studies, which has been attained by the employment of new analytical methods of bioarchaeology and additional abundant materials.

2009: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuhiro Uzawa, Kazuaki Hirata: Weapon-related traumas of human skeletons from Yuigahama Chusei Shudan Bochi, Japan. Anatomical Science International, 84: 170-181, 2009.

2007: Tomohito Nagaoka, Mikiko Abe: Human skeletal remains from the Osaka castle site in Japan: metrics and weapon injuries. Anthropological Science, 115: 163-168, 2007.

2007: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuaki Hirata: Reconstruction of paleodemographic characteristics from skeletal age at death distributions: perspectives from Hitotsubashi, Japan. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 134: 301-311, 2007.

2006: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuaki Hirata: Tooth size of the medieval period people of Japan. Anthropological Science, 114: 117-126, 2006.

2006: Tomohito Nagaoka, Akio Shizushima, Junmei Sawada, Kazuaki Hirata: Morphological Variation of Crania of the Medieval Period Japanese. Anthropological Science (Japanese series), 114: 139-150, 2006. (in Japanese with English summary)

About Dr. Tomohito Nagaoka

Academic Position

2009-Present: Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, St. Marianna University School of Medicine

2002-2009: Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, St. Marianna University School of Medicine

Education

Ph. D. 2009: Anatomy, St. Marianna University Schoool of Medicine

M. Sc. 2002: Anthropology, Kyoto University

B. Hum Sci. 2000: Anthropology, Osaka University

Specialization

Human osteology, paleodemography, paleopathology, bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology, physical anthropology, gross anatomy

Publication (for the last 3 years)

In press: Tomohito Nagaoka, Yoshinori Kawakubo, Kazuaki Hirata: Evidence for temporal and social differences in cranial dimensions in Edo-period Japanese. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, DOI: 10.1002/oa.1215.

In press: Tomohito Nagaoka: Cranial traumatic injuries caused by weapons in Tokugawa Japan. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, DOI: 10.1002/oa.1187.

2010: Tomohito Nagaoka*, Kazuaki Hirata: A rare case of the lack of the inferior mesenteric artery in a Japanese female. Journal of St. Marianna University, 1: 31-35, 2010.

2010: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuhiro Uzawa, Kazuaki Hirata: Evidence for weapon-related traumas in medieval Japan: observations of the human crania from Seiyokan. Anthropological Science, 118: 129-140, 2010.

2009: Tomohito Nagaoka, Yuji Seki, Juan Pablo Villanueva, Walter Tosso Morales, Kinya Inokuchi, Mauro Ordóñez Livia, Diana Alemán Paredes, Daniel Morales Chocano: Human skeletal remains from the Pacopampa site in the northern highlands of Peru. Anthropological Science, 117: 137-146, 2009.

2009: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuhiro Uzawa, Kazuaki Hirata: Weapon-related traumas of human skeletons from Yuigahama Chusei Shudan Bochi, Japan. Anatomical Science International, 84: 170-181, 2009.

2009: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuaki Hirata: Reliability of metric determination of sex based on long bone circumferences: perspectives from Yuigahama-minami, Japan. Anatomical Science International, 84: 7-16, 2009.

2008: Tomohito Nagaoka, Junmei Sawada, Kazuaki Hirata: Did the Jomon people have a short lifespan? Evidence from the adult age-at-death estimation based on the auricular surface of the ilium. Anthropological Science, 116: 161-169, 2008.

2008: Tomohito Nagaoka, Akio Shizushima, Junmei Sawada, Soichiro Tomo, Keigo Hoshino, Hanako Sato, Kazuaki Hirata: Sex determination using mastoid process measurements: standards for Japanese human skeletons of the medieval and early modern periods. Anthropological Science, 116: 105-113, 2008.

2008: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuaki Hirata: Demographic structure of skeletal populations in historic Japan: a new estimation of adult age-at-death distributions based on the auricular surface of the ilium. Journal of Archaeological Science, 135: 1370-1377, 2008.

In press: Tomohito Nagaoka, Wataru Morita, Yuji Seki, Kazuhiro Uzawa, Kinya Inokuchi, Juan Pablo Villanueva, Diana Alemán Paredes, Mauro Ordóñez Livia, Daniel Morales Chocano: Bioarchaeological study of human skeletal remains from the Pacopampa site in Peru. America Antigua, in press. (長岡朋人、森田航、関雄二、鵜澤和宏、井口欣也、フアン・パブロ・ビジャヌエバ、ディアナ・アレマン、マウロ・オルドーニェス、ダニエル・モラーレス：ペルー、パコパンパ遺跡から出土した人骨の生物考古学的研究) (in Japanese with English summary)

2009: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuhiko Shimatani, Mikiko Abe, Kazuaki Hirata, and Hiroo Kumakura: Metric Traits of Early Modern Japanese Crania from Sakai (Osaka, Japan). Anthropological Science (Japanese series), 117: 89-97, 2009. (長岡朋人、嶋谷和彦、安部みき子、平田和明、熊倉博雄：大阪府堺市から出土した近世人頭蓋の計測的特徴) (in Japanese with English summary)

2009: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuaki Hirata: Sex Determination of Medieval Japanese Skeletons Based on Head and Neck Circumferences of Long Bones. Anthropological Science (Japanese series), 117: 23-30, 2009. (長岡朋人、平田和明：四肢長骨の骨頭・骨頚の周径に基づく中世人骨の性別判定) (in Japanese with English summary)

2008: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuaki Hirata, Risa Ohira, and Shuji Matsu’ura: Stature Estimation of the Medieval Skeletons from the Yuigahama-Minami Site in Kamakura, Japan. Anthropological Science (Japanese series), 116: 25-34, 2008. (長岡朋人、平田和明、大平里沙、松浦秀治：鎌倉市由比ヶ浜南遺跡から出土した中世人骨の身長推定) (in Japanese with English summary)

2010: Tomohito Nagaoka: Paleodemography of the human skeletal remains in the Jomon period. The Archaeological Journal, 606: 25-28, 2010. (長岡朋人: 縄文時代人骨の古人口学的研究. 考古学ジャーナル, 606: 25-28, 2010) (in Japanese)

2009: Tomohito Nagaoka: Reconstruction of life history of ancient human skeletons based on new methods. Acta Anatomica Nipponica, 84: 119-120, 2009. (長岡朋人: 新手法に基づく古人骨のライフヒストリーの復元. 解剖学雑誌, 84: 119-120, 2009) (in Japanese)

2009: Tomohito Nagaoka: Sex determination and age-at-death estimation of human skeletons. St. Marianna Medical Journal, 37: 99-104. (長岡朋人: 人骨の性別判定と死亡年齢推定. 聖マリアンナ医科大学雑誌, 37: 99-104, 2009) (in Japanese)

2009: Tomohito Nagaoka: Paleopathology of ancient Andean people. Chaski, 39: 10-11, 2009. (長岡朋人: 病気から見た古代アンデス. チャスキ, 39: 10-11, 2009.) (in Japanese)

2010: Tomohito Nagaoka, Hiroki Seike, Kazuaki Hirata: Human skeletal remains from Kugahara site, Archaeological report of the Kugahamara site. pp.28, 2010. (長岡朋人・清家大樹・平田和明：久ヶ原遺跡出土人骨について．久ヶ原遺跡出土人骨発掘調査報告書、三井不動産レジデンシャル株式会社・株式会社武蔵文化財研究所、28、2010) (in Japanese)

2010: Tomohito Nagaoka, Hiroki Seike, Kazuaki Hirata: Human skeletal remains from Kyosozuka site, Archaeological report of the Kyosozuka site. pp.169, 2010. (長岡朋人・清家大樹・平田和明：経僧塚古墳出土古墳時代人骨について．武射経僧塚古墳石棺編報告、早稲田大学経僧塚古墳発掘調査団、169、2010) (in Japanese).

2009: Mikiko Abe, Reiko Ijichi, Tomohito Nagaoka: Human skeletal remains from Narutaki site in Wakayama, Archaeological report of the Wakayama City. pp.10-20, 2009. (安部みき子、伊地知怜子、長岡朋人：和歌山県鳴滝貝塚出土の人骨．和歌山市埋蔵文化財発掘調査年報-平成18年度-、財団法人和歌山市都市整備公社、10-20、2009) (in Japanese)

2008: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuaki Hirata: Human skeletal remains from Niizato site in Tokyo, Archaeological report of the Niizato site. pp.186-187, 2008. (長岡朋人、平田和明：新居里横穴墓群（東京都大田区田園調布5丁目3番23号）出土人骨．新居里横穴墓II発掘調査報告、大田区教育委員会、186-187、2008) (in Japanese)

2008: Tomohito Nagaoka, Kazuaki Hirata: Human skeletal remains from Unoki site in Tokyo, Archaeological report of the Unoki site. pp.8, 2008. (長岡朋人、平田和明：鵜の木一丁目横穴墓群（東京都大田区鵜の木一丁目六番）出土人骨．大田区鵜の木一丁目横穴墓群7号墓発掘調査報告書、大田区・武蔵文化財研究所、8、2008) (in Japanese)

2008: Tomohito Nagaoka: Human skeletal remains from Araijima site in Toyohashi, Archaeological report of the Toyohashi City. pp.88-90, 2008. (長岡朋人：豊橋市洗島遺跡から出土した焼人骨．洗島遺跡・洗島１号墳、豊橋市埋蔵文化財報告書第95集、豊橋市教育委員会、88-90、2008) (in Japanese)

Farewell to the General

2011-04-25T10:21:00.001+09:00

On April 11, 2011, one Joseon general who was dead about 400 years ago retureed to dust after intensive scientific examinations. On November 2007, a male mummy was found within the LSMB tomb located in Gangneung City, Korea. During the reburial process of their ancestors’ age-old tombs into a newly constructed family vault, the members of the Gangneung Choi clan found a very well-preserved ancestor mummy fully wrapped in the clothes of those times. The brief information provided on the tomb had already been grasped by the descendants. When we arrived at the excavation field, the dead body had already
been pulled out of the coffin. The tomb included single wooden coffin within it, which was further encapsulated by the outermost LSMB.
Thanks to the records in the Lineage Book of the Gangneung Choi Clan, the contents inscribed upon the tombstone and the other historical documents, we could obtain a personal profile of the mummified person and his family members. The founder of this clan, named Munhan (1320–1395 A.D.) was a son-in-law of the King of the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392). After the Goryeo Dynasty was toppled, he and his family
moved to settle in Gangneung City. Gyeongsun, the mummified subject of the present study, was Munhan’s eighth-generation descendant. According to the historical records, Gyeongsun was born in 1561 and died in 1622 at the age of 61. As his father (named Unwoo) was very famous scholar, rubbing shoulders with men of great scholarship of the Kingdom, he belonged to one of the most distinguished families in the county. Though his father expected that his sons could become successful scholars or officials; and Gyeongsun
himself also hoped to receive a classics licentiate degree by passing the national examination, he might not have been so successful in realizing his ambition. Rather, he could have made his entrance into office only by a special appointment for the sons of prominent people. Therefore, his assumption of the office in Royal Court is open to question because the official post inscribed on his tombstone (i.e., deputy general of Military Commands of the Kingdom) was given to an important member of the countryside as an honorary post in most cases. In addition, as we could not find any evidence for his involvement in political strife of those days during our historical literature research, he might have spent his life as a prominent gentleman in countryside.
After he was dead, the Royal Court conferred posthumous honors of Commander (jeolchung janggun) to him. He was survived by three sons and three daughters.

After the general's body was moved to our lab, various anthropological studies were done on it. You can see our achievements in previous publications. And studies have not been ended yet. Much more interesting studies are still ongoing with the samples we have obtained during the dissection. Anyway, this was really epoch-making studies for Korean mummies during the past several decades.

And finally, on April this year, we decided to return him to ash in accordance with the hopes of the descendants. They were really good, warm people who know clearly about the importance of scientific researches on the Joseon general's dead body. We are very grateful to the generous and courageous decision of the Gangneung Choi clan, for providing us with the opportunity to examine their respectful ancestor, General Gyeongsun Choi, which could make a great contribution to related scholars in Korea.

Examination on newly discovered mummy from Hongsung

2011-03-12T17:43:00.000+09:00

Chungcheong Research Institute of Cultural Heritage discovered Joseon mummy in 2010, from small town called Hongsung. They collaborate with us to examine them; first of all, removal of clothes from the mummy was performed in my lab. As usual, Korean mummy full wrapped with clothes was moved to my lab; and biological sampling was done after clothes removal was done by textile specialist invited. This case was 9th removal of clothes from Korean mummies since 2007.

Before clothes removal

Many pieces of clothes were collected from the mummy. Dr. Koh BJ said that this must have been buried before Seven Year War between Korea and Japan (1592-1598), including very rarely discovered findings, such as the paper shoes (See below). That is, this is 400 year or more old case!!

Hemp ropes tied around the dead body

Good at sewing!!!

Not snake; this is the belt tied around the waist of the dead person

The belt

Paper shoes

Just before the removal of face veil

We fiished the removal of clothes today. And forthcoming anthropological studies are planned now. Even if we could not reveal at this time, very interesting find was also discovered in this case.

Oh went to India, sampling the Harappan civilization

2011-03-09T19:13:00.002+09:00

Oh, the PhD candidate in my lab, has been in India, for sampling the soil sediments in archaeological sites of Harappan Civilization. He went to Karsola, Rhaki Garhi and Farmana, all of which were the ancient city, town or village in Indian subcontinent several thousand years ago. The sites were located in the Ghaggar-Hakra basin area, one of the cradles of the ancient Harappan Civilization. He have colllected soil sediment samples for paleoparasitological examinations. If we could see the ancient parasite eggs within the samples, this could be the first reports on the presence of ancient parasite eggs in soils from Harappan civilization. He also examined thousand-year-old bones that were collected from Farmana area. We will discuss what types of the biological information could be obtained from the skeleton samples by anthropological studies. We will be back to India, more works on the human, animal and parasite samples from one of the oldest civilizations in the world.

Sampling in Karsola

Beautiful Karsola

Sampling in Rhaki Gahri

Good friends: Oh (leftmost); Dr. Lankton (2nd from left); Dr. Shinde (In the middle)

New Paper Accepted

2011-02-23T13:36:00.002+09:00

Our paper entitled, "Differential findings in post-factum dissections of medieval Korean mummies which exhibited similar preservation patterns on computerized tomography images" has been newly accepted in Annals of Anatomy.

In our previous CT and post-factum dissection studies on medieval Korean mummies, well preserved internal organs generally were found to have been displaced to the dorsal side of the body cavity. This movement seems to have been caused by the effect of gravitational force exerted over long burial durations. However, when recently we examined a newly discovered medieval Korean mummy (SN1-2) by CT, most of the mummified organs were found to have remained in their natural positions. Our post-factum dissection of SN1-2 showed that the organs might have undergone expansion by posthumous gas formation, after which they hardened into a stone-like state, which mitigated against their displacement. Similar CT findings were made in the case of a second Korean mummy (KU-1). Since the internal organs within the thoracic cavity were discovered to be in their natural positions, we suspected that they, like those in the case of SN1-2, had also been changed into stony structures. However, the post-factum dissection showed that the internal organs of KU-1 had neither hardened nor been displaced to the back wall of the thoracic cavity, owing possibly to the presence of a pleural adhesion. Overall, our results indicated that CT alone might be inadequate for correct estimation of the preservation status of internal organs in Korean mummies. This calls for further accumulation of dissection data, against which CT diagnoses can be compared and by which they can be improved.

Dissection of Korean Mummy

Mummy Congress in San Diego

2011-02-20T00:02:00.000+09:00

I, and Mark Spigelman organize the symposium in Mummy Congress held in June, this year.

Call for Papers: DNA and Associated Biomolecules in Mummy Research
Organizers: Mark Spigelman (Sydney, Australia) and Dong Hoon Shin (Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; email: drdoogi@snu.ac.kr).

Sponsoring organization: 7th World Congress on Mummy Research.

DNA and associated biomolecules form an important and growing part of research associated with mummy studies. A discussion of the progress and future direction of this science will help mummy researchers to better understand how this type of investigation could assist workers in the field and also contribute to a better understanding of the life and death of mummies. As this research is potentially destructive, the symosium will discuss how to biopsy mummies using minimally destructive or intrusive methodology. A second goal of the symposium is to try to establish baselines and protocols on how and/or what to sample and amounts to be taken in order to achieve the desired results. Persons interested in participating in this session are urged to contact the organizers.

92nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Pacific Division including the 7th World Congress on Mummy Studies

12 – 16 June 2011 San Diego, California

Members of AAAS and its affiliated societies, students, teachers and other scientists are encouraged to participate in the annual meeting of the Pacific Division of AAAS by presenting papers and/or posters. Persons wishing contribute a paper or poster to present at one of the sessions should e-mail as a Word or .rtf attachment the title, abstract and other required information to the chair of the appropriate society or section and also the Pacific Division office at rchristi@sou.edu. If you are presenting in a symposium, please forward your abstract directly to the symposium planner. If your abstract contains special characters, please fax a copy in addition to the e-mail submission to the Pacific Division office, 541-552-8457. The deadline for abstract submission is 19 April 2011.

Link: http://associations.sou.edu/aaaspd/2011SANDIEGO/Symposia11.html#24
Categories: Academia, Forensic Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology , Research Methods

DOWNLOAD

Mechanism of Mummification?

2010-12-12T20:05:00.003+09:00

How can Korean mummies be formed even if they were not treated with any embalming methods or were not depsited in critical weathers?
Surprisingly enough, medieval Koreans were mummified in the tombs during several hundred years, not induced by any causative factors for mummfication previously known to the researchers.
The enigma might be solved if our animal experiments might be successfully ended.

We use Sprague-Dawley rats for making Korean mummy model. They were sacrificed; and were contained within the miniature coffins that were further encapsulated by lime soil mixture barrier- the same structure of the tombs medieval Korean ever constructed.

The results were amazing. Only after three months, remarkable differences in preservation of tissues could be observed in the rats contained within miniature-LSMB tombs.

By gross and microscopic examinations, the morphologies of the organs or cells could be observed quite well in the rats for Korean mummy model.

Rat in the coffin: before being buried underground during very long time

Liver tissue of the rat buried in LSMB tomb for 10 weeks. The histological structure is perfect even though the rat was buried underground during long time, without any treatment of preservation

Round Table Discussion in November

2010-11-09T09:58:00.000+09:00

Dr. Shinde (Dept of Archaeology, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute) performed his lecture in our Round Table Discussion on Nov 5, 2010.

Below is the abstract of his lecture.

The period between the Stone Age and the Early Historic period was considered to be the “Dark Age” in Indian History. However, the discovery of the Harappan Civilization, the first Bronze Age Culture of South Asia, in the twenties of the last century pushed back the antiquity of the settled life in India by two thousand years at one stroke. This was considered to be the greatest archaeological discovery of the twentieth century in the Indian subcontinent. The development and spread of agriculture and pastoralism in South Asian are complex phenomena that have taken place over the course of more than 9000 years. “First light on a long forgotten Civilization” was probably the first reference to the discovery of the today well known “Harappan Civilization” of the Indian Sub-continent by John Marshall in his article in the Illustrated London News dated September 20th 1924 to the western world. Today, this Urban Civilization known for its unique town planning, script, trade contacts with the Mesopotamians and Egyptians, well developed craft techniques etc. is the focus of popular academic debate not just within the sub-continent but international academic circles especially since even today we have not been able to decipher their writings......,

Archaeologists, anthropologists and other experts joining in our work have a good times in the lecture and the dinner time. Dr. Shinde and we also talked about the collaboration between two sides, possibly on the samples from Harappan civilization.

Stories about Korean mummies in NG kid book

2010-11-04T14:12:00.000+09:00

In NG kid book, you can read the story of Korean mummy (Eung Tae).
Along with the other mummies from the countries around the world, the information obtained from Korean mummies is regarded as "time capsule", by the editor, Chris Sloan.

For more information, please click here

Billy Joel: Piano Man

2010-10-27T01:46:00.002+09:00

Now joining in aDNA 2010

2010-10-10T13:42:00.006+09:00

Along with my colleagues (Drs. Kim MJ, Kim YS and Oh), I am currently in Munchen, joining in the aDNA 2010 meeting.

with Dr. YS Kim, in Deutsches Museum

Dr. MJ Kim (middle); Dr. YS Kim (right), in Deutsches Museum

Session chair in Munchen: Oct 12, 2010

Podium presentation: Oct 12, 2010

Best Oral Presentation Award for Oh: Oct 13, 2010

After the session: Oct 13, 2010

Mummy Congress of Korea?

2010-09-14T07:25:00.003+09:00

A kind of "Mummy Congress of Korea" might be launched by experts on Korean mummies like us. In Korea, there have been several interdisciplinary teams cooperating each other or competing to elucidate mysteries of Korean mummies. However, there were not any official academic associations for mummy studies. This might be changed in a near future. Dr. Kim HK, the pathologist in Korea University (middle), Dr. Lee SD (right) in Institute of Forensic Medicine, SNU, and I (left) met each other to talk about future works on Korean mummy works.

http://news.donga.com/IMAGE/2010/09/03/30940526.1.jpg

The meeting was reported by Dong-A Ilbo, one of the prostegious newspapers in Korea. You can see the news in below link (if you can read Korean).

http://news.donga.com/3/all/20100903/30939683/1

Paleoparasitological Mapping in Korea Started

2010-08-09T04:30:00.010+09:00

Supported by National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, we began the mapping of paleoparasitological findings in Korea. Anyway, even if we already published some papers on ancient parasite eggs or larvae from archaeological samples in Korea, we did not know exactly how well ancient parasite eggs preserved in old samples; or what provinces or districts they were found. To collect the fundamental data for forthcoming related studies, we began 3 year project of mapping- paleoparasitological mapping in Korea (Yr 2010 to 2012).

During the period, we collect the samples of different time and district in Korea, performing microscopic examination on them; and in some cases, we will proceed to molecular analysis on them. Since we already were successful in DNA sequencing of several parasites from ancient samples, this seems not to be so difficult.

Dr. Min Seo, my colleague in paleoparasitology, will do as PI for this project; and my team will join this work. The first round of sample collection will start next week, in Poongnab Fortress, the famous capital of ancient Baekje Kingdom.

List of Archaeological Sites for Mapping Project

1. Aug 12, 2010: Hongsung: Bronze Age: Chungnam Institute of History and Culture

Paleoparasitological Map in Korea. (Yr 2010 to 2012)
Blue pins indicate the archaeological sites where our samplings were done.

큰 지도에서 Paleoparasitological Map in Korea 보기

In-depth interview

2010-08-05T11:18:00.002+09:00

In-depth interview about me, my lab, and paleopathology was published in Joong Ang Daily, English newspaper in Korea.

For more information, please click

New paper accepted in IJOA

2010-07-17T20:30:00.003+09:00

Our new paper on "Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis cases found in Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection of Korea" is accepted in International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a disorder showing hyperostosis of the spinal column and ossification of extraspinal ligaments or tendons. The prevalence of DISH has been found to be higher in historic peoples of the upper- and ruling classes, and in fact was closely correlative with nutritional and high-caloric diets. DISH is known also to be a function of genetic factors; as such, there have been very few cases of DISH found among the specimens of Asian skeletal collections. In our osteoarchaeological study on the Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection (JDHSC), we found four DISH instances among the 96 cases (4.17%) we examined. This prevalence is not so different from those discovered in already-published studies on collections in Europe and other regions. However, as already stated, it must be considered that most of the JDHSC individuals we examined were remains of people from the highest social classes of 16th-to-18th century Joseon society. Therefore, when collections from medieval European monastic sites, the appropriate control from well-fed populations, were used for comparison, the prevalence of DISH was found to be far lower among the JDHSC. Reports on DISH from examinations of collections in Asian countries have been spotty, leaving gaps in the social-strata spectrum. Further researches into the prevalence of DISH among the different social strata of ancient or medieval Asian peoples are still required.

DISH cases are identified in

Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection

Academic meetings attended

2010-06-13T18:08:00.000+09:00

It was very busy days. For the last two weeks on May, I attended at three different academic meetings held in two different cities (Seoul and Pusan), Korea.

First, I have lectured in 18th Federation Meeting of Korean Basic Medical Scientists (May 21, 2010; at National Museum of Korea). The lecture subject was "Paleopathology and Ancient DNA Works." After the meeting, I had happy times with other forensic scientists and anatomists of Korea.

The meeting was held in National Museum of Korea, the place where science meetings were rarely held.

My lecture

Next, I was attending at 53th Annual meeting of Korean Association of Physical Anthropologists (Jeongseon, May27-28, 2010). My lab presented two reports on ancient DNA and paleopathology (all the presentation was done in Korean).

1. Report of our interdisciplinary collaborations on anthropological examination of Joseon people remains until the first half in 2010 (2010년 상반기까지 수행된 조선시대 사람에 대한 학제간 고병리학 연구의 현황보고) by Shin DH, Oh CS, Seo M, Lee SJ, Lee SD, Kim MJ, Kim YS, Kim DK, Lee IS, Han SS (신동훈, 오창석, 서 민, 이상준, 이숭덕, 김명주, 김이석, 김덕겸, 이인선, 한선숙)

2. Extraction, amplification and sequencing of ancient DNA from trematode parasite eggs found in medieval Korean tombs (조선시대 사람에서 발견된 흡충류 기생충란에 대한 고유전자적 분석) by Oh CS, Seo M, Lee SJ, Lee SD, Kim MJ, Shin DH (오창석, 서 민, 이상준, 이숭덕, 김명주, 신동훈)

Finally, I also joined to the annual meeting of Korean Society for Legal Medicine (Pusan, June 4, 2010). This meeting was my first time ever I have attended. Legal medicine doctors hosted this meeting (they issued the certificate of specialists of forensic medicine in Korea). I was in the meeting to see if we could join to thes society meeing in the furue.

Dental Caries of Joseon People

2010-04-30T18:13:00.007+09:00

Very few caries were found in the teeth of Joseon people.

Considering that the frequency of occurrence of dental caries is known to increase rapidly after the introduction to diets of refined sugar or flour, lower consumption of such foodstuffs might have been behind the much lower prevalence of caries in non-European countries over the latter half of the second millennium. However, this speculation has remained unverified because there have been relatively few reports on dental caries for non-European countries. In this regard, the Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection (JDHSC), taken from 16th-to-18th-century Korean tombs, could become a potential comparative resource. In fact, in the present study, the frequency of occurrence of dental caries among those medieval Korean people, whose consumption of refined sugar was sluggish until the opening of Korean ports to European trade in the late 19th century, was found to be much lower than those of any cotemporaneous populations reported up to the present time. Our study on the dental caries prevalence among Joseon people could provide meaningful data for related researchers seeking to understand dental caries occurrence patterns in populations experiencing relatively late industrialization or modernization.

This paper “Low prevalence of dental caries among medieval Joseon people of Korea” is newly accepted in Archives of Oral Biology (in press).

Histological Study on Preservation of Ancient Tissue Accepted in Journal of Anatomy

2010-03-28T17:48:00.001+09:00

Our new article on "Auto-fluorescence emitted from the cell residues preserved in human tissues of medieval Korean mummies" is accepted in Journal of Anatomy.

Below is the ABSTRACT:

As a significant association has been established between residual ancient DNA (aDNA) and histological preservation, the morphological identification or confirmation of preserved cell residue in ancient tissues would greatly facilitate aDNA studies and enhance the definitiveness of their conclusions. However, morphological differentiation of cell residue from other tissue structures has always been difficult, even for experienced histologists, due to the severe degradation of cells over long burial durations.
In the present study, using a fluorescence microscopy equipped with a specific type of filter set (excitation filter, 510-550nm; dichroic mirror, 570nm; emission filter, ~590nm), we found that certain structures in well preserved mummified tissues emitted auto-fluorescence. Those structures were actually cell residues (e.g. fragmented DNA), laser capture microdissection (LCM) and Quantifiler kit analysis having shown that preservation of nuclear DNA correlates with auto-fluorescence emission in LCM-captured areas. Detection of auto-fluorescence could be an effective means of identifying cell residues in ancient tissue, enabling selection of the well preserved samples necessary in successful aDNA studies.

Case Reports since 2010

2010-03-22T09:45:00.008+09:00

Legends: Serial Number/ Report Date/ Archaological Sites/ Client/ Results

2009-0609/ 2010. 3. 23/ Skeletons from three LSMB tombs of Joseon Dynasty/ Hanwool Institute of Cultural Heritage/ Basic anthropological examinations

2009-0626/ 2010. 3. 22/ Skeletons from three LSMB tombs of Joseon Dynasty/ Central Institute of Cultural Heritage/ Basic anthropological examinations

2010-0106/ 2010. 3.19/ Gyeongju Gyerim-Ro No. 14 Tumulus/ Gyeongju National Museum/ Teeth recognition only

2008-0624/ 2010.3.18/ Medieval Tomb for Lady of Sacheon Mok Clan (Josoen Dynasty)/ Gyeonggi Provincial Museum/ Finding parasite eggs in the feces

2010-0222/ 2010. 3.16 (1st report)/ Lung Tissue, Hungarian Mummy/ Dr. Mark Spigelman/ Trying to confirm the presence of ancient DNA (cross-checking)

New Paper Accepted: Ascaris ancient DNA from Korea

2010-03-19T04:40:00.005+09:00

Our paper on Ascaris ancient DNA from Korean mummy has been newly accepted in Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. The aDNA sequence we have cloned was already reported in GenBank. Below is the abstract of the paper.

In this study, Ascaris DNA was extracted and sequenced from a medieval archaeological sample in Korea. While Ascaris eggs were confirmed to be of human origin by archaeological evidence, it was not possible to pinpoint the exact species due to close genetic relationships among them. Despite this shortcoming, this is the first Ascaris ancient DNA (aDNA) report from a medieval Asian country and thus will expand the scope of Ascaris aDNA research.

Mummy wrapped by clothes.

New Investigation into Joseon Skeletons Begins

2010-03-18T10:47:00.004+09:00

We start another invesigation into human skeletons collected from archaeological fields in Korea.

Wednesday Journal Club

2010-03-17T08:34:00.008+09:00

Schedule in 2010

Mar 24 and 31, 2010: "The Human Mitochondrial Genome: Mechanisms of Expression and Maintenance" (Chapter 3) in the same book below.

May 17, 2010: "Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Intact Tissue" (Chapter 2) in Mitochondria in Health and Disease (by Berdanier CD)

Special lecture on May 13, 2010

2010-03-10T23:56:00.011+09:00

Tomb of Akeldama and the shroud of Jerusalem

by Dr. Mark Spigelman

(Kuvin Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel)

Time: PM 7:30-8:30, May 13 (Thu), 2010

Venue: ANATOMY ROOM #212, Basic Research Building

Seoul National University College of Medicine

The Tomb of the Shroud is a first-century C.E. tomb discovered in Akeldama, Jerusalem, Israel that had been illegally entered and looted. The investigation of this tomb by an interdisciplinary team of researchers began in 2000. More than twenty stone ossuaries for collecting human bones were found, along with textiles from a burial shroud, hair and skeletal remains. The research presented here focuses on genetic analysis of the bioarchaeological remains from the tomb using mitochondrial DNA to examine familial relationships of the individuals within the tomb and molecular screening for the presence of disease. There are three mitochondrial haplotypes shared between a number of the remains analyzed suggesting a possible family tomb. There were two pathogens genetically detected within the collection of osteological samples, these were Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae. The Tomb of the Shroud is one of very few examples of a preserved shrouded human burial and the only example of a plaster sealed loculus with remains genetically confirmed to have belonged to a shrouded male individual that suffered from tuberculosis and leprosy dating to the first-century C.E. This is the earliest case of leprosy with a confirmed date in which M. leprae DNA was detected.

Related Article Link
Related News Report Link-1
Related News Report Link-2

Archaeology Magazine Again

2010-03-04T13:12:00.004+09:00

Our work on parasite eggs in ancient palace moat previously got a write-up in Archaeology Magazine. Once again, the magazine writes about the case in which we were involved: love letter found in medieval tomb of Korea.

Anyway, the case was previously published in academic journal "Antiquity" in 2009; and National Geographic Magazine reported briefly about it in 2007. But it was not still well-known to ordinary readers around the world because full description of the case in English could not be available for them. In this regard, the current article by Ms. Kim H-E, the reporter of Joonang Daily, seems to be very meaningful because she went into details of the the love-letter story, for the first time after it became famous among Korean people.

You can see the paleo-pathological works performed by us in her article as well!!!!

Paleo-Parasitological Studies in Asian Countries

2010-01-21T06:09:00.008+09:00

China
Li J, Liao X and Yang H. Molecular Characterization of a Parasitic Tapeworm (Ligula) Based on DNA Sequences from Formalin-Fixed Specimens. 2000. 38(9-10) 309-322.

Wei D, Yang W, Huang S, Lu Y, Su T, Ma J, Hu W and Xie N. Parasitological investigation on the ancient corpse of the Western Han Dynasty unearthed from tomb No. 168 on Phoenix Hill in Jiangling county. Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. 1981. 1(2) 16-23.

Liu W-Q, Liu J, Zhang J-H, Long X-C, Lei J-H and Li Y-L. Comparison of ancient and modern Clonorchis sinensis based on ITS1 and ITS2 sequences. Acta Tropica. 2007. 101 (2) 91-94.

Sha Z-L, Zhu C-D, Murphy RW, La Salle J, Huang D-W. Mitochondrial phylogeography of a leafminer parasitoid, Diglyphus isaea (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in China. Biological Control 38 (2006) 380–389.

Japan
Matsui A, Kanehara M, Kanehara M. Palaeoparasitology in Japan--discovery of toilet features. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2003;98 Suppl 1:127-36.

Making the Map of Ancient Parasite Infection in Korea

2010-01-21T05:23:00.007+09:00

Paleo-parasitological studies have been very rarely performed in Asian countries. Though we also started to report the paleo-parasitological findings in Korea, there is still a long way to go for elucidating the infection prevalence of various parasite species in ancient Korean population. To reach the goal, the samples from various archaeological sites in time or geographic perspectives should be examined by us. However, most of samples we have examined were from the provinces around Seoul City, which put the blocks on our efforts on getting comprehensive information about paleo-parasitology in Korea.
Starting this year, we will expand our sampling wok throughout the country of Korea; do the parasitological examinations on them; and finally make the Map of Ancient Parasite Infection in Korea by which we could check the ancient parasite egg species of certain regions and periods.
For this, we will collaborate with archaeologists in Korea and use various techniques (i.e. molecular biological technique) other than microscopic examinations for retriving much information from the samples.

This study will be performed in cooperation with Dr. Min Seo, Dept of Parasitology, Dankook University College of Medicine, Korea.

Freezing Seoul City

2010-01-16T20:24:00.002+09:00

When's the last time Han River was frozen?

Mankind worry about global warming..,
but river is frozen again in decades.

Multiplex SNP Assay on the Ancient Human Samples from JDHSC

2010-01-13T10:15:00.003+09:00

We started the work on multiplex SNP assay on the samples from Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection (JDHSC). By the analysis of SNPs in the male-specific region of the Y-chromosome (MSY), we could get the fundamental information helpful for understanding the origin and history of Korean people which will be inferred by our forthcoming studies.

Materials:

Methods used:

References:
Bouakaze C et al. First successful assay of Y-SNP typing by SNaPshot minisequencing on ancient DNA. Int J Legal Med. 2007 Nov;121(6):493-9. Epub 2007 May 30.

Sanchez JJ, Endicott P. Developing multiplexed SNP assays with special reference to degraded DNA templates. Nat Protoc. 2006;1(3):1370-8.

Inca Exhibition in Seoul

2010-01-10T17:02:00.008+09:00

The Signboard of the Exhibition in National Museum of Korea

The Entrance

Inside of Exhibition Hall

Some Pictures about Inca Empire displayed at exit

I have seen the Inca Exhibition held in National Museum of Korea. According to museum, "this special exhibition focuses on not only the Inca Empire, but also on the ancient Andean civilization, to which the Incas claim their roots. Nine Peruvian museums, including the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru, share 351 relics...." I also visited to the exhibition for seeing the famous Perivian mummies, some of which were also displayed this time.

New publication in Journal of Archaeological Science

2010-01-04T19:30:00.007+09:00

Our paper on "Amplification and sequencing of Trichuris trichiura ancient DNA extracted from archaeological sediments" was published in Journal of Archaeological Science.

Below is the abstract of the paper.

Despite high prevalence of Trichuris trichiura infection, PCR-based analysis on T. trichiura from archaeological samples has not been established so far. In the present study, we sought to perform PCR-based amplification of T. trichiura aDNA using the sediments from medieval tomb of Korea. The presence of Trichuris eggs were first detected by microscopic observation; then confirmed by PCR-based aDNA analysis. Obtained sequence showed 100% homology to that of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSUrRNA) gene of T. trichiura but distinct from that of other Trichuris species. This result suggests that PCR-based detection can serve as effective method to confirm the presence of T. trichiura eggs in the soils or coprolites collected from archaeological sites.

The sequence of T. trichiura reported in this study is available in GenBank. Click!!

Classes Recommended for Students

2009-12-29T18:07:00.020+09:00

Classes and Courses

Archaeological Education
Archaeological Education

Medical Science: Basis for Anthropology
801.101A Human Anatomy
801.112A Pathology
801.205A Parasitology
801.2301 Medical Terminology
801.503 Experimental Techniques 1
801.501 Research Methodology in Medicine
801.798 Seminar in Histology
801.511 Advanced Anatomy of the Nervous System
801.3311 의학입문자를 위한 우리몸의 구조이해

Statistics
801.502 Medical Statistics
801.2502 SSPS-applied basic statistics

Physical Anthropology and Paleopathology
801.2608 Recent Progress in Ancient DNA Study
801.2607 Recent Progress in Paleopathology
801.2403 Topics in the Research of Physical Anthropology

Lectures on Forensic Anthropology
801.724 Forensic Traumatology
801.722 Practice of Legal Autopsy
801.721 Methods of Postmortem Examination
801.723 Mechanism of Death
801.851 Forensic Genetics 1
801.852 Forensic Genetics 2
801.2405 Introduction to Forensic Science 1

Textbooks

Genetics and aDNA analysis
Forensic DNA Typing by Butler JM
Genes IX by Lewin B
Molecular cloning by Sambrook J

Osteology
The Human Bone Manual by White TM and Folkens PA
Archaeology of Human Bones by S Mays
Identification of Pathological Conditions in Human Skeletal Remains by Ortner DJ
Forensic Anthropology Training Manual by Burns KR
Forensic Anthropology: Contemporary Theory and Practice by Komar D and Buikstra J

Histology (801.798 Seminar in Histology)
Histology: A Text and Atlas by Ross MH
Manual for Seminars in History by SNU Dept Anatomy

Paleopathology: Medical Perspective
Robbins Basic Pathology by Kumar V
Emerging Pathogens by Greenblatt C and Spigelman M
Medical Microbiology and Immunology by Levinson WE and Jawetz E

Mummy Studies
The Scientific Study of Mummies by Aufderheide A.

801.798 Seminar in Histology

2009-12-29T00:43:00.011+09:00

Students can study the basic histology helpful for interpreting the histological sections from various anthropological samples. Observation of the human histology samples with light microscope could be available.

Academic Year 2010

Class Hours: AM 11:00-11:40 (Fri)
Location: ANATOMY ROOM #212
Credit: 3

Day 1: Feb 24: Cytoplasmic organelles
Day 2: Mar 3: Epithelium
Day 3: Mar 10: Glands
Day 4: Mar 17: Connective Tissue
Day 5: Mar 24: Blood
Day 6: Mar 31: Bone, Cartilage and Muscle
Day 7: Apr 7: Nervous Tissue
Day 8: Apr 14: Blood vessels
Day 9: Apr 21: Respiratory System
Day 10: Apr 28: Urinary System
Day 11: May 12: Digestive System I
Day 12: May 19: Digestive System II
Day 13: May 26: Digestive System III
Day 14: June 2: Reproductuve System
Day 15: June 9: Skin
Day 16: June 16: Special Sensory Organs
Day 17: June 23: Endicrine System

801.2403 Topics in Research of Physical Anthropology

2009-12-28T23:41:00.096+09:00

"Evolution of Infectious Diseases"

OBJECTIVE: To understand the current trends in studies on paleomicrobiology, mainly laying focus on ancient DNA analysis.

LECTURE in ACADEMIC YEAR 2010

Class Hours: AM 9:00-10:00 (Thu) for every lecture except for May 13 (PM 7:00-8:00); and May 21 (PM 1:00-5:00)

Location: ANATOMY ROOM #212

Credit: 3

TEXTBOOK

Emerging Pathogens by Greenblatt C and Spigelman M

SCHEDULE

Day 1: Mar 18, 2010 Chapter 1 (Handout)
*Margulis L, Dolan MF, Guerrero R. The chimeric eukaryote: origin of the nucleus from the karyomastigont in amitochondriate protists. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000 Jun 20;97(13):6954-9. (for understanding infection and symbiosis in cell evolution)

Day 2: Mar 25, 2010 Chapter 2 to 4 (Handout)

Day 3: Apr 1, 2010: Review of Mycobacterium infection in ancient population (by Oh CS)
*Donoghue HD et al. Tuberculosis: from prehistory to Robert Koch, as revealed by ancient DNA. Lancet Infect Dis. 2004 Sep;4(9):584-92.

Day 4: Apr 15, 2010: Chapters 12 and 15 (by Oh CS)
Day 5: Apri 22, 2010: Chapters 6 and 7
Day 6: Apr 29, 2010: Chapters 8 and 9
Day 7: May 6, 2010: Chapters 10 and 11

Day 8: May 13, 2010: Special lecture: "Tomb of Akeldema and the shroud of Jerusalem" by Dr. Mark Spigelman (Editor/author of the textbook, Israel)

Day 9: May 21, 2010: Special lectures on paleoanthropology in 18th Federation Meeting of Korean Basic Medical Scientists

Day 10: June 3, 2010: Chapters 13 and 14
Day 11: June 10, 2010: Chapters 16 and 17

SELECTED PAPERS

Hershkovitz I et al. Detection and molecular characterization of 9,000-year-old Mycobacterium tuberculosis from a Neolithic settlement in the Eastern Mediterranean. PLoS One. 2008;3(10):e3426. Epub 2008 Oct 15.

Donoghue HD. Human tuberculosis--an ancient disease, as elucidated by ancient microbial biomolecules.Microbes Infect. 2009 Dec;11(14-15):1156-62. Epub 2009 Aug 29.

Colleagues and Friends

2009-12-27T14:13:00.002+09:00

Colleagues and Friends in Korea-1
Kim MJ and Seo M

Colleagues and Friends in Korea-2
Lee EJ and Shin MH

Friends in Countries Other Than Korea
Spigelman M, Hershkovitz I, Zink A, Pusch C, Beckett R, Donoghue H and Pap I

Paleopathology

2009-12-26T11:57:00.001+09:00

Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection

2009-12-26T00:08:00.002+09:00

To understand our Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection (JDHSC), you should understand first the tombs encapsulated by lime-soil mixture barrier (LSMB tombs) which were constructed during medieval Joseon Dynasty of Korea (1392-1910).

In Korea, the preservation status of human remains in archaeological sites is not so good; thus, anthropologists have difficulties in performing the studies on the ancient bones or soft tissues. However, human remains found in LSMB tombs were much better than those from other types of ancient tombs. In some cases, the preservation status of human bodies is so perfect that

Paleoradiology

2009-12-26T00:07:00.001+09:00

Korean Mummies

2009-12-25T23:43:00.001+09:00

Friends in countries other than Korea

2009-12-25T22:04:00.001+09:00

In Israel
Spigelman, Mark
Hershkovitz, Israel

In Italy
Zink, Albert

In Germany
Pusch, Carsten

In US
Beckett, Ronald

In UK
Donoghue, Helen

In Hungary
Ildiko Pap

Textbooks Used in Graduate School

2009-12-25T21:34:00.012+09:00

Genetics and aDNA analysis
Forensic DNA Typing by Butler JM
Genes IX by Lewin B
Molecular cloning by Sambrook J

Osteology
The Human Bone Manual by White TM and Folkens PA
Archaeology of Human Bones by S Mays
Identification of Pathological Conditions in Human Skeletal Remains by Ortner DJ
Forensic Anthropology Training Manual by Burns KR
Forensic Anthropology: Contemporary Theory and Practice by Komar D and Buikstra J

Histology (801.798 Seminar in Histology)
Histology: A Text and Atlas by Ross MH
Manual for Seminars in History by SNU Dept Anatomy

Paleopathology: Medical Perspective
Robbins Basic Pathology by Kumar V
Emerging Pathogens by Greenblatt C and Spigelman M
Medical Microbiology and Immunology by Levinson WE and Jawetz E

Mummy Studies
The Scientific Study of Mummies by Aufderheide A.

aDNA Sequences and Profiles Obtained in Our Lab

2009-12-23T23:04:00.011+09:00

Trichuris trichiura

1. 20091218 Tri_SSrRNA.sqn : Trichuris_SSrRNA GU339222 (By Oh CS) *Published in JAS: "Amplification and sequencing of Trichuris trichiura ancient DNA extracted from archaeological sediments"

Ascaris lumbricoides

1. 20091218 AS-18S.sqn : 18S_rRNA(Ascaris) GU339223 (By Oh CS)
2. 20091218 Ascaris_cytb.sqn : Ascaris_cytb GU339224 (By Oh CS)

Human mtDNA
Ht, haplotype; Hg, haplogroup; JD, Joseon Dynasty

For Ancient Korean Samples

Human autosomal STR

2009-12-18T15:21:00.002+09:00

IRB Approval of Our Ancient DNA Work

2009-12-14T17:58:00.003+09:00

To show the authenticity of our aDNA results, we should compare the sequences or profiles from ancient samples with those of participants in our studies. The genetic analysis on the participants was approved by Institutional Review Board of SNUH.

Our Mummy Study Reported in A Korean Newspaper

2009-12-12T23:33:00.001+09:00

Interview on Korean mummy studies was reported in Chosun Ilbo, the Korean newspaper, on Dec 12, 2009.

To see the article, click here.

Two Lectures on December

2009-12-11T14:09:00.004+09:00

I have done two lectures on paleo-pathology for laymen and archaeologists on December.

Dec 2. 2009: "History of Deseases" for Museum Academy in Gyeonggi Provincial Museum: Audience: Laymen.

Dec 4. 2009. "Prospect in Construction of Human Skeleton Collection" for Korean Ancient Historical Society. Audience: Archaeologists, Historians, Textile Specialists.

Lecture in the Meeting

Sleepy.. during discussion after lecture

Sampling in Construction Site of New Seoul City Hall

2009-12-10T09:37:00.009+09:00

Oh CS and Lee SJ did the paleo-parasitological sampling at construction site of new Seoul City Hall. Many constructions have been nowadays planned and performed in areas of Seoul Metropolitan City, making the streets or buildings in the city renovated. Abide by a law in Korea, archaeological investigation should be done before contruction/renovation begins; therefore, during the investigation, soils from geological strata could be sampled by us, for paleo-parasitological examinations. Below is another case for such a parasitological sampling performed in Seoul Metropolitan City area.

Date: Dec 10, 2009
Sampled by Oh CS and Lee SJ
Location: Construction site for New Seoul City Hall
Archaeologists involved: Hangang Institute of Cultural Heritages
Obtained samples: 14th-19th century soils precipitated in each geologic strata

Oh CS joining in the archaeoloigsts' meeting held in Vietnam

2009-12-08T22:50:00.010+09:00

Oh CS partipated in 19th Congress of the The Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association (IPPA) held in Vietnam (Nov 29 to Dec 5, 2009).

Below is the abstract presented by Oh CS.

C22. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCES IN KOREA

Shin, Dong Hoon, Paleopathology lab, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea drdoogi@snu.ac.kr

For several years, our interdisciplinary research team, including specialists in anthropology, paleo-parasitology, paleo-pathology, radiology and molecular bioarchaeology, have examined specimens collected from archaeological sites in Korea. When samples were discovered during archaeological excavations, archaeologists and researchers from our team cooperated to minimize contamination of specimens by modern contaminants (i.e. modern DNA etc.). We then examined them under sterile conditions in our lab, and selected samples ideal for biological studies. Using these samples, which are maintained in our Human Sample Collection, information helpful for understanding the lives and diseases of ancient or medieval people in Korean society was obtained. Briefly, we identified the parasite infection prevalence of Korean people in the past, through examination of the soil samples from archaeological sites. Our aDNA research team was also successful in sequencing aDNA from pathogens (i.e. viruses) of humans found in the archaeological sites. Radiological studies were also undertaken on skeletal or mummy samples, for clues of ancient diseases of the subjects, while minimizing serious damage to them. Our studies, aiming to elucidate scientific clues useful for interpreting archaeological sites in Korea, are strengthened by the collaboration between researchers from different specialties.

This session will present results from the research of the following researchers:
Oh, Chang Seok (Paleopathology Lab, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea)
Bok, Gi Dae (Department of Korean History, University of Brain Education, Korea)
Park, Jun Bum (Hangang Institute of Cultural Heritage)
Lee, Soong Deok (Department of Forensic Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea)
Kim, Yi-Suk (Ewha Womans University, Korea)
Kim, Myeung Ju (Department of Anatomy, Dankook University, Korea)
Seo, Min (Department of Parasitology, Dankook University, Korea )

Chang Seok Oh

2009-12-07T15:47:00.007+09:00

HE is a graduate student (PhD candidate) of my lab. After he studied Biology in undergraduate, started his carrier as a bioarchaeologist. He is a kind of SUPERMAN, doing everything needed for biological experiments. Every morphological or molecular works in my lab should pass through his hands because there is nobody doing the works on behehalf of him (Haha). He is a very hard-working guy, even sleeping in the lab until he could get authentic results from ancient samples. I believe, he could become one of the leading researchers in the field of bioarchaeology of Korea. E-mail to him

Happy to eat Gelato (Rome, Italy)

Before sampling (Seoul, Korea)

About Me

2009-12-07T02:31:00.072+09:00

Dong Hoon Shin MD, PhD

Professor
Anthropology and Paleopathology Lab
Institute of Forensic Medicine/Dept of Anatomy
Seoul National University College of Medicine
28 Yongon-Dong, Seoul 110-799, Korea

Tel: 82-2-740-8203; Fax: 82-2-745-9528

E mail: cuteminjae@gmail.com

1985-1992 Seoul National University College of Medicine (MD)
1993-2000 Seoul National University Graduate School (PhD)

1999-2002 Assistant Professor, Dankook University
2002-2005 Assistant Professor, Seoul National University
2005-2010 Associate Professor, Seoul National University
2010- Professor (with tenure), Seoul National University

1993-1996 Military Service (First Lieutenant, Korean Army)

About 100 peer reviewed papers and book chapters

Paleo-parasitology in My Lab

2009-12-06T22:05:00.004+09:00

I will introduce herewith paleo-parasitological studies performed in my lab.

In general, the parasite eggs or larvae included in ancient samples were studied in two different ways: microscopic and molecular methods. Of course, simple decision like the presence of A. lumbricoides or T. trichiura could be also done in my lab. However, we need a collaborator-paleoparasitologist with higher technical skills for examining the samples in much details (e.g. finding rare parasite eggs within the samples). We already introduce Dr. Seo M., our collaborator for paleoparasitological study, in different page.

When the samples were collected in archaeological fields, they were treated for microscopic examination as follows:

1. Re-hydrated in 0.5% trisodium phosphate solution that had been periodically shaken over the course of one week.

2. The re-hydrated samples, after filtration through multiply layered gauze, were precipitated for one additional day.

3. After the upper turbid layer was discarded, the precipitates were dissolved again

4. Precipitate in solution was dropped onto the slides. They were examined by light microscope (Olympus, Japan).

New Publication on Paleo-parasitology of Korea

2009-12-03T14:29:00.005+09:00

Our article on "THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENTIAL BURIAL PRESERVATION ON THE RECOVERY OF PARASITE EGGS IN SOIL SAMPLES FROM KOREAN MEDIEVAL TOMBS" has been newly accepted in Journal of Parasitology (in press). Below is the abstract of the article.

Authors: Seo M, Oh CS, Chai JY, Lee SJ, Park JB, Lee BH, Park J-H, Cho GH, Hong D-W, Park HU and Shin DH.

This study showed that ancient parasite eggs, not commonly present in soil samples from medieval Korean tombs, have been found in a very limited number of cases that satisfy certain archaeological conditions. In our paleo-parasitological examination of soil samples from medieval tombs encapsulated by a lime soil mixture barrier (LSMB), parasite eggs were more commonly detected in tombs that contained remains with clothes, hair or brain tissue, though not all such tombs revealed eggs. There was a close correlation between the preservation of certain types of cultural or human remains and the presence of ancient parasite eggs within medieval Korean LSMB tombs. Such remains therefore could be regarded as a strong predictor of well-preserved ancient parasite eggs in soil samples from LSMB tombs.

(LEFT) Even though many kinds of LSBM tombs have been found in archaeological fields of Korea, very limited tombs only showed the presence of ancient parasite eggs within the samples from them.

Possible Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient in Pre-modern Korea

2009-11-27T17:22:00.010+09:00

Our newly published article is available online.

Wife and husband living in 1700s AD were buried together after death. Joseon people always buried husband in the right side (left side from your view); and wife in the left side. The wife in this figure was suffered from possilbe rheumatoid arthritis. The husband was also proven to be heavily infected with various human parasites.

We report a possible rheumatoid arthritis (RA) case found in a Korean Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) tomb encapsulated by a lime-soil mixture barrier (LSMB). The tomb is thought to have been constructed during the 1700s AD (1760 AD by carbon dating). In our anthropological examination, joint destruction, erosion or fusion (signs of polyarthritis) were identified mainly in the peripheral skeleton. Especially in both sides of the wrist bones, severe destruction/joint fusion possibly caused by polyarthritis was observed. A similar polyarthritis pattern also was seen in the right foot bones, even though we failed to confirm this symmetry due to the missing left foot bones. Despite these findings, signs suggestive of polyarthritis are very rarely seen in axial bones, even though bony fusions are found in the atlanto-occipital joint or thoracic vertebrae (TV) 9-10. By the osteological signs observed in this case, the individual, a female, might have been suffering from a very late stage of RA and died in her 40s, even though other forms of chronic arthritis could not be ruled out completely. Though the current case could not provide evidence to decisively settle the debates on the antiquity of RA, our report could be a stepping stone for forthcoming studies on RA cases found in East Asian countries.

The paper is published in International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.

To Make Our Ancient DNA Work Much Authentic

2009-11-27T02:33:00.011+09:00

In this section, we summarized our efforts for making aDNA work much authentic during the entire procedure from archaeological field to wet lab works. Please follow the links below.

Our Works in Archaeological Fields
We believe that most of debates on authenticity of aDNA work must have been settled if biologists and archaeologists could have collaborated to minimize the possible modern DNA contamination of samples in every procedure from archaeological fields to aDNA lab....,

Criteria of Authentication
There are many viewpoints on the Criteria of Authentication, espically about the needs of such Criteria in aDNA lab works. Someone think that it is really needed for authentic aDNA work; the others say this is just formalities, not needed for researchers. I do not want to make a comment on whether the Criteria is really helpful for authenticating our aDNA results or not. What we want to care about is making our aDNA results without possibility of contamination as possibly as we can. If we could guarantee the authenticity of our aDNA work just by following the Criteria, why shouldn't we do it? We have followed, and will follow this Criteria until another persuasive way for making aDNA work much authentic could be discussed among related researchers.

Lab Setting
After the samples were moved to our lab, we should perform aDNA works in a lab, following Criteria of Authentication, which have been suggested by a number of aDNA researchers. Among them, we explain our lab setting for authentic aDNA work.

IRB Approval of Our aDNA Work
During our aDNA work, it has been needed that sequences or profiles from ancient samples should be compared to those of participants in our study. This is indispensable to show if any modern DNA contamination from researchers was occuring during aDNA work. We got IRB certification on genetic analysis of participants in our studies.

Information helpful to you if you plan to visit Korea

2009-11-26T17:10:00.001+09:00

Reservation of Hotel in Korea, English Available

Korea Hotel.com

How can you access to us?

2009-11-26T08:33:00.033+09:00

1. Finding the lab in Google Map

Red arrow points to my lab.

Enlarge the Map

2. Searching the subway route

If you are staying in one of hotels in Seoul City, it would be convenient for you to access my lab by subway because of heavy traffic in this city. Subway in Seoul is clean, quiet, safe; and always takes you to any destinations exactly on time. The subway route could be searched at this site. To find the way to my lab, just select the name of your "departing" station; and choose "Hyehwa" for your "arrival station" ("departing" and "arrival station" bars on the left corner of the map page). The page will show you the shortest course to my lab. You can print it (See the print button in the upper right corner of the page).

3. Buying the subway ticket

Most of Korean passengers pay their subway fares with credit or SMART card (exclusively for subway charge). Just contacting the cards on the gate is enough for them. However, you need to buy the ticket for today's trip.

4. From Subway Station "Hyehwa" to Our lab

To reach my lab, you should be out of station via Exit No 3 where you can find the signboard for Seoul National University Hospital.

Signboard for Seoul National University Hospital at Exit No 3 of Hyehwa Station

The Gate to Seoul National University College of Medicine. You can find this after 1-2 min walk from the station.

You should enter the gate to find the main building of Seoul National University College of Medicine. At this point, turn to the right.....

And go ahead, please.

Turn to the left again

Yes, this is my office and lab (post PCR lab).

Please phone call to me here.

Finding Clothes Wrapping Mummy in Archaeological Field of Korea

2009-11-25T16:41:00.002+09:00

Click for Movie file

The tomb encapsulated by Lime-soil Mixture Barrier (LSMB) was found in Seoul, Korea on October 25, 2007. Archaeologists joining in this case knew well about the importance in reducing the number of direct contacts with human samples for successful aDNA studies. When the inner coffin was opened, well preserved clothes were identified by us. Since we decided to collect human samples contained within the clothes under well-appointed condition, the dead body was moved to our lab without any derangements of clothes. Caption available in movie.

More about Korea

2009-11-24T19:07:00.020+09:00

The Jongmyo

World Heritage of UNESCO

Why Should Koreans Be So Obsessive for National Independence?

Some Talks on the obsession of us, Koreans, for National Indepence and our future

The Pages of Korea's Past

News clip on magnificent historic documents of Korea

My favorite Songs

Some music clips

A River Runs Through It
Story about Han river running through Seoul city

Structural Evidence of Days Gone By

Refections on the Old Seoul

Palace with chaotic past born again

Old Seoul: frame by frame 19. Gyeongbok Palace

A Travel Guide Fit for Your Coffee Table

It's not for the down-and-dirty information hunt often necessary on trips

Mother Africa
My experience on a visit to National Museum of African Art in Washington DC, US.

Fieldworks

2009-11-24T18:21:00.011+09:00

Filed Works

Geographic information on Korea

Oh CS, Lee SJ. Paleoparasitological sampling in Seoul City Hall. Dec 8, 2009
Shin DH, Oh CS. LSMB Tombs of Joseon Dynasty: Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. 2009.
Shin DH, Oh CS. LSMB Tombs of Joseon Dynasty: Bumbak-Dong, Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. 2009.
Shin DH, Oh CS, Lee SJ. LSMB Tombs of Joseon Dynasty: Gwanggyo, Sowon, Gyeonggi Province. 2009.
Shin DH, Oh CS, Lee SJ. LSMB Tombs of Joseon Dynasty: Gwangjin, Seoul. 2009.
Shin DH, Oh CS, Seo M. Paleoparasitological investigaion on Seoul Metropolitan City. 2009.
Shin DH, Oh CS, Kim MJ, Seo M. Medieval Korean Mummy from Hadong. 2009.
Shin DH. Human Skeletons from Bronze Age Tomb in Sacheon, Korea. 2009.
Shin DH. Goryeo Dynasty Tombs: Yongwol, Gangwon Province. 2008.
Shin DH, Oh CS. LSMB Tombs of Joseon Dynasty: Eunpyeong, Seoul. 2008.
Shin DH, Oh CS. Korean Mummy from Dangjin, Korea. 2008
Shin DH, Lee SJ. LSMB Tombs of Joseon Dynasty: Waegwan, Chilgok, Korea. 2008.
Shin DH, Oh CS, Seo M. Paleoparasitological investigation for a Moat around Weolsung Palace, Gyeongju, Korea. 2008.

Case Reports

Legends: Serial Number/ Report Date/ Archaological Sites/ Client/ Results

2009-0609/ 2010. 3. 23/ Skeletons from three LSMB tombs of Joseon Dynasty/ Hanwool Institute of Cultural Heritage/ Basic anthropological examinations
2009-0626/ 2010. 3. 22/ Skeletons from three LSMB tombs of Joseon Dynasty/ Central Institute of Cultural Heritage/ Basic anthropological examinations
2010-0106/ 2010. 3.19/ Gyeongju Gyerim-Ro No. 14 Tumulus/ Gyeongju National Museum/ Teeth recognition only
2008-0624/ 2010.3.18/ Medieval Tomb for Lady of Sacheon Mok Clan (Josoen Dynasty)/ Gyeonggi Provincial Museum/ Finding parasite eggs in the feces
2010-0222/ 2010. 3.16 (1st report)/ Lung Tissue, Hungarian Mummy/ Dr. Mark Spigelman/ Trying to confirm the presence of ancient DNA (cross-checking)

My Colleagues 2: Lee EJ and Shin MH

2009-11-24T17:48:00.007+09:00

Eun Joo Lee

If there were not any textile researcher studying on the clothing of Joseon Dynasty, every cultural or human remains from medieval tombs could not be successfully secured. About 40 years ago, some pioneering textile researchers started to investigate into the clothes from the tombs; and maintained them in their labs or institutes. After then on, many textile researchers have tried to elucidate invaluable information whenever they found medieval clothes in the tombs. Anyway, their work is closely related with our works because interdisciplinary work from various research fields is needed for getting invaluable information from well preserved, mummified cases. Dr. Lee EJ is one of the leading figures of the young school textile specialists in Korea. Anyway, we should always cooperate with her lab and other colleagues whenever the mummified individual was found in archaeological fields. Since well preserved clothes were always wrapped around the Korean mummies, removal of clohtes should be done by close cooperation of both side labs; and during which, clues for reconstruction of textile history could be secured by her lab; and contamination minimized biological samples for our authentic aDNA analysis could be obtained by us. Dr. Lee is currently in Dept of Clothing and Textiles, Andong National University, Korea (Professor). Though there are many works for which we have collaborated, one of the most notable paper might be this published in Antiquity. E-mail to her

Myung Ho Shin

He is a historian. Anyway, we desperately need him because he could provide us with invaluable historic information, very helpful for undestanding the health or disease of the dead individuals. According to him, Joseon is a well organized, highly developed society in medieval times of Korea. His viewpoint seems to fall in place because many unbelievalbly detaied informaton had been provided by him, which could be only available in societies with plenty of historical sources. A few years ago, we consulted with him for getting some historic information on oyster production during Joseon Dynasty. This was beacuse we found some parasite eggs in several hundred year old female mummy, and the immediate host of the parasite was oyster. For this, he showed what we want, the past record on oyster production of the time; and much astonishingly, was successful even in finding the candidate dishes which might cause the parasite infection, only by searching for the old documents of Joseon Dynasty!!! We should cooperate with highly-reputed historians for our successful mummy works and paleopathological studies. Dr. Shin is the one. He is studying on Korean History (especially on Joseon Dynasty); and currently in Dept of History, Pukyung National University, Korea (Professor). E-mail to him

Achievements in 2006-2010

2009-11-24T14:23:00.106+09:00

Peer Reviewed Articles

In press or Revision

Kim Y-S, Oh CS, Lee SJ, Kim MJ, Choi S-G, Min S-R, Lee NL, Ha MS, Bok GD and Shin DH. Construction of Medieval Skeleton Collections with Human Remains from Tombs of Goryeo Dynasty, Korea. Korean Journal of Physical Anthropology. (in Korean)

Spigelman M, Shin DH, Gila KBG. The Promise, the Problems and the Future of DNA analysis in Paleopathology Studies. Companion to Paleopathology.

Kim MJ, Lee IS, Kim Y-S, Oh CS, Park JB, Shin MH and Shin DH. Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis cases found in Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection of Korea. 2010. International journal of Osteoarchaeology.

Kim DK, Lee IS, Kim W-L, Lee JS, Koh BJ, Kim MJ, Youn MY, Shin MH, Kim YS, Lee S-S, Oh CS and Shin DH. Possible Rheumatoid Arthritis Found in the Human Skeleton Collected from the Tomb of Joseon Dynasty, Korea, Dating Back to the 1700s AD. 2009. International journal of Osteoarchaeology. Published Online: 17 Nov 2009.

2010

Lim D-S, Oh CS, Lee SJ and Shin DH. 2010. Auto-fluorescence emitted from the cell residues preserved in human tissues of medieval Korean mummies. J Anatomy. 217 (1) 67-75. (SCI, 2.134)

Han SS, Baek KW, Shin MH, Kim J, Oh CS, Lee SJ, Shin DH. 2010. Dental caries prevalence of medieval Korean people. Arch Oral Biol. 55 (7): 535-540. (SCI, 1.649)

Oh CS, Seo M, Chai JY, Lee SJ, Kim MJ, Park JB and Shin DH. 2010. Amplification and sequencing of Trichuris trichiura ancient DNA extracted from archaeological sediments. Journal of Archaeological Science. 37 (6): 1269-1273. (SSCI, 1.847)

Oh CS, Seo M, Lim NJ, Lee SJ, Lee EJ, Lee SD, Shin DH. 2010. Paleoparasitological report on Ascaris aDNA from an ancient East Asian sample. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 105 (2): 225-228. (SCI, 2.097)

Seo SB, Zhang A, Kim HY, Yi JA, Lee HY, Shin DH, Lee SD. 2010. Technical note: Efficiency of total demineralization and ion-exchange column for DNA extraction from bone. Am J Phys Anthropol. Jan;141(1):158-62. (SCI, 2.756)

Shin DH, Lee IS, Kim MJ, Oh CS, Park JB, Bok GD, Yoo DS. 2010. Magnetic resonance imaging performed on a hydrated mummy of medieval Korea. J Anat. 216 (3): 329-34. (SCI, 2.134)

Seo M, Oh CS, Chai JY, Lee SJ, Park JB, Lee BH, Park JH, Cho GH, Hong DW, Park HU, Shin DH. 2010. The influence of differential burial preservation on the recovery of parasite eggs in soil samples from Korean medieval tombs. J Parasitol. 96 (2): 366-370. (SCI, 1.195)

2009

Lee IS, Lee EJ, Park JB, Baek SH, Oh CS, Lee SD, Kim YS, Bok GD, Hong JW, Lim DS, Shin MH, Seo M, Shin DH. 2009. Acute traumatic death of a 17th century general based on examination of mummified remains found in Korea. Ann Anat. Jun;191(3):309-20. Epub 2009 Mar 11. (SCI)

Shin DH, Lim DS, Choi KJ, Oh CS, Kim MJ, Lee IS, Kim SB, Shin JE, Bok GD, Chai JY, Seo M. 2009. Scanning electron microscope study of ancient parasite eggs recovered from Korean mummies of the Joseon Dynasty. J Parasitol. Feb;95(1):137-45. (SCI)

Zhang A, Seo SB, Yi JA, Lee HY, Kim HY, Shin DH, Kang HW, Lee SD. 2009. Efficiency of quantification using Quantifiler™ human DNA kit in 60 year old bone. Korean Journal of Legal Medicine 33:79-83.

Shin DH, Chai JY, Park EA, Lee W, Lee H, Lee JS, Choi YM, Koh BJ, Park JB, Oh CS, Bok GD, Kim WL, Lee E, Lee EJ, Seo M. 2009. Finding ancient parasite larvae in a sample from a male living in late 17th century Korea. J Parasitol. Jun;95(3):768-71. (SCI)

E-J Lee, Shin DH, Yang HY, Spigelman M, Yim SG. 2009. Eung Tae’s tomb: a Joseon ancestor and the letters of those that loved him. Antiquity 83(319):145–156. (SSCI)

Kang JS, Shin DH, Yu JR, Lee JH. 2009. Lats kinase is involved in the intestinal apical membrane integrity in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Development. 2009 Aug;136(16):2705-15. Epub 2009 Jul 15. (SCI)

신동훈, 오창석, 박준범, 김명주, 복기대. 2009. 해외 연구동향에 비추어 본 조선시대 회곽묘 출토 한국미라 연구현황. 동양학. 46집. 단국대학교 동양학 연구소. (in Korean)

Shin DH, Oh CS, Chung T, Yi YS, Chai JY, Seo M. 2009. Detection of parasite eggs from a moat encircling the royal palace of Silla, the ancient Korean Kingdom. Journal of Archaeological Science. 36(11):2534-2539. (SSCI)

Lee HY, Seo SB, Zhang AH, Yi J, Kim HY, Jung SB, Choung CM, Shin DH, Lee SD. 2009. Experience on Sequencing of Mitochondrial DNA from 1200 Year Old Bone Using Cloning. Korean J Leg Med. Nov;33(2):147-152.

2008

Lee SK, Kang JS, Jung da J, Hur DY, Kim JE, Hahm E, Bae S, Kim HW, Kim D, Cho BJ, Cho D, Shin DH, Hwang YI, Lee WJ. 2008. Vitamin C suppresses proliferation of the human melanoma cell SK-MEL-2 through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and the modulation of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) production. J Cell Physiol. Jul;216(1):180-8. (SCI)

Seo M, Shin DH, Guk SM, Oh CS, Lee EJ, Shin MH, Kim MJ, Lee SD, Kim YS, Yi YS, Spigelman M, Chai JY. 2008. Gymnophalloides seoi eggs from the stool of a 17th century female mummy found in Hadong, Republic of Korea. J Parasitol. Apr;94(2):467-72. (SCI)

Chang BS, Uhm CS, Park CH, Kim HK, Jung HS, Ham JH, Lee GY, Kim DH, Lee KJ, Bang IS, Oh CS, Shin DH. 2008. Ultramicroscopic investigation of the preservation status of hair collected from a full-term, intrauterine baby mummy of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. 18(6):624–631 (SSCI)

Kim MJ, Oh CS, Lee IS, Lee BH, Choi JH, Lim D-S, Yi YS, Han W-J, Kim Y-S, Bok GD, Lee SD, Shin DH. 2008. Human mummified brain from a medieval tomb with lime-soil mixture barrier of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. 18(6):614–623 (SSCI)

Lim DS, Lee IS, Choi KJ, Lee SD, Oh CS, Kim YS, Bok GD, Kim MJ, Yi YS, Lee EJ, Shin DH. 2008. The potential for non-invasive study of mummies: validation of the use of computerized tomography by post factum dissection and histological examination of a 17th century female Korean mummy. J Anat. Oct;213(4):482-95. (SCI)

2007

Kang JS, Kim HN, Jung da J, Kim JE, Mun GH, Kim YS, Cho D, Shin DH, Hwang YI, Lee WJ. 2007. Regulation of UVB-induced IL-8 and MCP-1 production in skin keratinocytes by increasing vitamin C uptake via the redistribution of SVCT-1 from the cytosol to the membrane. J Invest Dermatol. Mar;127(3):698-706. Epub 2006 Sep 28. (SCI)

Hahm E, Jin DH, Kang JS, Kim YI, Hong SW, Lee SK, Kim HN, Jung da J, Kim JE, Shin DH, Hwang YI, Kim YS, Hur DY, Yang Y, Cho D, Lee MS, Lee WJ. 2007. The molecular mechanisms of vitamin C on cell cycle regulation in B16F10 murine melanoma. J Cell Biochem. Nov 1;102(4):1002-10. (SCI)

Seo M, Guk SM, Kim J, Chai JY, Bok GD, Park SS, Oh CS, Kim MJ, Yil YS, Shin MH, Kang IU, Shin DH. 2007. Paleoparasitological report on the stool from a Medieval child mummy in Yangju, Korea. J Parasitol. Jun;93(3):589-92. (SCI)

Park JY, Park YH, Shin DH, Oh SH. 2007. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-mediated hair cell survival on the mouse utricle exposed to neomycin: the roles of IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. Oct;(558):22-9. (SCI)

Kim EJ, Oh CS, Kim J, Kim WH, Chung YH, Shin DH. 2007. Reactive astrocytes expressing intense estrogen receptor-alpha immunoreactivities have much elongated cytoplasmic processes: an autopsy case of human cerebellar tissue with multiple genitourinary and gastrointestinal anomalies. J Korean Med Sci. Oct;22(5):936-41. (SCI)

Lee IS, Kim MJ, Yoo DS, Lee YS, Park SS, Bok GD, Han SH, Chung YH, Chang BS, Yi YS, Oh CS, Shin DH. 2007. Three-dimensional reconstruction of medieval child mummy in Yangju, Korea, using multi-detector computed tomography. Ann Anat. 189(6):558-68. (SCI)

2006

Mun GH, Kim MJ, Lee JH, Kim HJ, Chung YH, Chung YB, Kang JS, Hwang YI, Oh SH, Kim JG, Hwang DH, Shin DH, Lee WJ. 2006. Immunohistochemical study of the distribution of sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters in adult rat brain. J Neurosci Res. Apr;83(5):919-28. (SCI)

Chung YH, Sun Ahn H, Kim D, Hoon Shin D, Su Kim S, Yong Kim K, Bok Lee W, Ik Cha C. 2006. Immunohistochemical study on the distribution of TRPC channels in the rat hippocampus. Brain Res. Apr 26;1085(1):132-7. Epub 2006 Apr 3. (SCI)

Chang BS, Uhm CS, Park CH, Kim HK, Lee GY, Cho HH, Chung YH, Shin DH. 2006. Ultramicroscopic study on the hair of newly found 15th century mummy in Daejeon, Korea. Ann Anat. Sep;188(5):439-45. (SCI)

Lee JH, Oh CS, Mun GH, Kim JH, Chung YH, Hwang YI, Shin DH, Lee WJ. 2006. Immunohistochemical localization of sodium-dependent L-ascorbic acid transporter 1 protein in rat kidney. Histochem Cell Biol. Oct;126(4):491-4. Epub 2006 May 4. (SCI)

Chang BS, Uhm CS, Park CH, Kim HK, Lee GY, Cho HH, Kim MJ, Chung YH, Song KW, Lim do S, Shin DH. 2006. Preserved skin structure of a recently found fifteenth-century mummy in Daejeon, Korea. J Anat. Nov;209(5):671-80. (SCI)

Kim SB, Shin JE, Park SS, Bok GD, Chang YP, Kim J, Chung YH, Yi YS, Shin MH, Chang BS, Shin DH, Kim MJ. 2006. Endoscopic investigation of the internal organs of a 15th-century child mummy from Yangju, Korea. J Anat. Nov;209(5):681-8. (SCI)

Lim H, Woo A, Jung Y, Kang JS, Shin DH, Lee WJ, Hwang YI. 2006. The Effects of the Tumor Mass Size Inoculated in Immunologically Competent Balb/c Mice on Delayed-type Hypersensitivity Response. Immune Network. Dec;6(4):185-191. Korean.

Kim MJ, Park SS, Bok GD, Choi YH, Lee IS, Shin KJ, Han GR, Youn M, Han SH, Kang IW, Chang BS, Cho YJ, Chung YH and Shin DH. Medieval mummy from Yangju. Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia. 2006. 28(1) 122-129.

Books, Chapters and Proceedings

Shin DH, Lee D-S, Joo KM, Hwang YI. Seven Days of Neuroanatomy Lab. Manual and Atlas. 2010. Korea Medical Book Publishing Company.

Shin MH, Yi YS, Bok GD, Lee E-J, Spigelman M, Park JB, Min S-R and Shin DH. How did mummification occur in bodies buried in tombs with a lime soil mixture barrier during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Mummies and Science World Mummies Research. Pena PA, Martin RM and Rodriguez AR (eds.) 105-113. 2008. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Kim MJ, Lee IS, Spigelman M, Donoghue HD, Lee SD, Kim Y-S, Lim DS, Oh CS, Seo M, Park J-B, Min S-R, and Shin DH. Future prospects for the scientific investigations of the medieval human remains from the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Mummies and Science World Mummies Research. Pena PA, Martin RM and Rodriguez AR (eds.) 105-113. 2008. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Journals on Anthropology and Other Related Fields

2009-11-24T04:23:00.017+09:00

*International Journal of Osteoarchaeology
*Journal of Anatomy
*Annals of Anatomy
*Anthropologischer anzeiger
*Journal of Archaeological Science
*Antiquity
*Journal of Parasitology
*American Journal of Physical Anthropology
*Journal of Anthropological Archaeology
*Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia
*International Journal of Historical Archaeology
*Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
*Lancet
*Archives of Oral Biology
*Review of Korean Studies
*Asian Perspective
*Korea Journal
*Seoul Journal of Korean Studies
*Bulletin of Indopacific Prehistory Association
*Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences
*Journal of Field Archaeology
*Australian Historical Archaeology
*Archaeologies
*Journal of Archaeological Research
*Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory
*Global Archaeology and Theory

Links to Ancient DNA and Forensic Genetics Sites

2009-11-24T00:15:00.020+09:00

*STRBase: STR DNA Internet Database
*Mitomap: A Human Mitochondrial Genome Database
*mtDNA manager
*PhyloTree
*Mitowheel
*YHRD: Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database
*Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab (AFDIL)
*Y Chromosome Consortium
*Human Genome Project Information
*Landmark HGP Papers
*Phylogenetic Network Software Download
*Mammalian Genotyping Service
*International Society of Forensic Genetics
*Tel TTAGGG telomere length assay
*Telomeric 1.2 in Fox Chase Cancer Center Bioinformatics
*International HapMap Project
*Array Designer
*Primer 3
*AutoDimer Software

Outbreak in 1524: 1

2009-11-20T23:04:00.008+09:00

Information from historc records is very crucial to correct interpretation of paloeopathological findings from human remains in LSMB tombs, Korea. As well known to related researchers in Korea, the tomb had been constructed during 16th to 18th century even if some exceptional cases were also revealed to be constructed in much earlier or later dates.

AD 1524 is very crucial year to historians studying on the past history of epidemics in Korea. In this year, Great Epidemics broke out; and by it, Joseon Dynasty was driven to the verge of a total collapse. A day to day progess of the calamity was vividly recorded in the documents of the Dynasty. The record started as follows...

The Outbreak

July 7, 1524
King ordered cursory investigation on the neglect of duty of Kim, magistrate of Yongchon couty where epidemic broke out. King said, "Epidemc in Yongchon is so serious that the death toll reaches 670....Magistrate of the county should have reported on it to the governor of provice right after the epidemic broke out...."

July 20, 1524
King said, "Many people died due to epidemic prevalent in Pyongan Province. However, counties bordering with Manchurians must not be neglected.

July 24, 1524
Governor of Pyongan Province reported: "687 people was dead in Euiju since March of this year, ; 169 death in Chelsan; 39 more deaths in Yongcheon after previous report; 47 deaths in Gwaksan since January.." King replied, "It is very serious that magistrates reported the outbreak of epidemic to the governor when they had ben asked. They should be dismissed for neglect of duty."

July 25, 1524
The Royal Secretariat reported: "The death toll in Yongcheon and Cheolsan reaches as many as 1,600. Considering that the magistrates must have reduced the death toll in their counties from the fear of being blamed, death toll must exceed tens of thousands...."; And reported: "The counties are now abandened; but this should be filled by planting settlers. Make criminals be sent to the epidemic devastating counties first..."

King and secretariats in royal court worried about the possible infilatration of Manchurians into the abandoned counties. Therefore, they decide to plant criminal-stettlers there. However, this was a big mistake. You will see the later troubles. (SDH)

Why should Koreans be so obsessive for national independence?

2009-11-18T21:05:00.068+09:00

One of the most common things I have been questioned from my friends in foregn countries is about Korean history: especially for the hardships experienced by Korean people during past several millenia. Anyway, owing to the geographical location of this country, Korean history has been peppered with a series of invasins from foreign nations. Though it might not be caused intentionally, such experiences deeply imprint an idea in Koreans' minds: National Independence. Korea have experienced rapid industrialization for the past several decades; and have tried to throw itself fully open to the other countries around the world nowadays. However, the obsession with indepence still capture the attention of Korean peoples strongly even today. I will introduce epoch-making events which affected minds of Koreans seriously.

1. Fall of the First Kingdom

Every Koreans know that the first Kingdom of Koreans was Gojoseon. The bronze-age country was propering mainly in the northwestern part of Korean peninsula, which is currently the region around Pyeongyang, the capital of North Korea. Historians could not show how long this kingdom had been survivied. But at least in BC 4 century, the ancient Korean kingdom must have been existed because Chinese documents described the battles beween them and Gojoseon state.

Click to see the territory of Gojoseon , the first kingdom of Korean people, in the eve of Chinese invasion.

In BC 108, newly unified Han Dynasty sent about 50,000 army and naval forces to invade Gojoseon. After fierce battle for a year, the first Korean kingdom fell to them. Though a number of independent Korean kingdoms still survived even after the fall of Gojoseon, territory of Gojoseon was ruled by Chinese for next 400 years.

Click to see the map after the fall of Gojoseon. Even if Chinese territory stretched to a part of Korean peninsula after the fall of Gojoseon, a number of independent Korean kingdoms still survived even at this time.

2. Great Wars with Chinese during 7th Century

The Chinese rule for a part of Korean peninsula could not be successful even after they defeated Gojoseon because independent Korean kingdoms attacked repeatedly the Chinese colonies. In 314, the Chinese rule was ended when one formidable kingdom, Goguryeo (you can see the name "Korea" is from "Goguryeo"), finally subjugate it. Whole Korean peinsula and southern part of Manchuria could be ruled by Korean kingoms again. But the prosperity should be challenged by newly unified Chinese Sui Dynasty. Between two countries, at least four major battles broke out (598- 614). At this time, Goguryeo won; and defeated Sui Dynasty was fallen by peasants' uprising. The great war of 612 AD might be one of the largest campaigns of East Asian history. To attack Goguryeo, Chinese emperior was know to send 1,133,800 troops to Korean peninsula (Can this be believed? Anyway, Chinese historic texts said so). Goguryeo could successfully defeat the attacks. However, when they should fight with Tang, next Chinese dynasty, again, they were not so lucky. After seriously defeated by Goguryeo army in 645 AD, Tang finally won in 668 AD. Though they tried to rule over whole Korean peninsula, another Korean kingdom, Silla, could be successful for defeating them. Silla rulers finally annexed the other regions of Korean peninsula; and maintained as independent state until AD 935.

Clike to see the map before Goguryeo-Chinese War in 7th Century began

3. Khitan and Mongolian Wars

After Silla won, there were not more major wars with Chinese. However, the next threats to Korea's independency was from northern nomadic peoples. Firstly, Goryeo Dynasty should fought back to Khitan's invations in 10th to 11th century. Next menace was the famous Mongolian invasion. During their campaign to Chinese, Monglians also invaded Goryeo six times, for about 40 years (1231-1270). After desperate battles with Monglians, Goryeo should be subjuated to them under the condition that Goryeo Kingdom would not be annexed by Mongolian Empire. Even if so, Mongolians strongly grabbed the power to do anythings in Goryeo as they pleased for the next 80 years.

Click to the map of East Asia in 1294, the pinnacle of Chinese Mongolian Empire, Yuan. Though Goryeo maintained the independency, many things in the Kingdom could not be free from interventions of Mongolians. Even if so, Goryeo Dynasty could be excluded from the direct control of Mongolians; and was permitted for its autonomy. This was concluded in a peace treaty between two countries in 1259 when repeated wars for 40 years finally ended.

4. Japanese and Manchurian Wars

After 80 years of strong political influence on Goryeo, Mongolians were finally kicked off from Korea in 1350s. After then on, there were no major battles with the other countries until 16th to 17th century even if small skirmished were continually reported from outposts in borders. However, in 1592, great war between Joseon Dynasty and newly unified Japanese troops broke out. Even though King of Joseon should retreat to the northern border of the Kingdom in the early time of the war, Japanese finally withdrew their troops without political successes. However, during the War, Korean kingdom was seriously devastated by the calamities: arable land of the Kingdom was reduced by a third after the war. Next, newly arising Manchurians attacked Joseon from the north. At this time, King of Joseon was not so lucky. After 40 days of siege, Joseon kingdom should surrender to them. Manchurians next attacked Chinese mainland; and ruled the whole China from 1644 on. During the period, even if Koreans maintained their independence, Joseon Kingdom was regarded as a vassal state by Manchurian Qing China. The "diplomatic tie" was finally resolved in 1897 when establishment of Korean Empire was proclaimed.

The replica of battleship used during Korean-Japanese War in 1592-1599. A symbol of the National Independence

The struggles with formidable neighbors seen above is just a summary of major wars with them. If we consider skirmishes along the border, the number could not be easily counted. Anyway, even though there were so many invasions or battles threatning for National Independence, Koreans could survive. Before Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910, the name of "Korea" had not been erased in any maps of centuries after the first Korean kindom appeared in a history. In a sense, Koreans might be successful because they could maintain their own national independence between formidable neighbors for several millenia.
However, Koreans always worried about contradictory aspects of national Indenpendency in one side; and national isolation in the other side. If you want to survive, you should open yourself to the outside. But if there are formidable neighbors, this could not be easily performed because it might destruct ourselves. This is very difficult thing to be successfully performed by peoples placed in such geographic location like Korea. For survival and prosperity, we, South Koreans, decided to keep the track of opening our country to the outside as possilby as we can. And after then on, rapid industrialization could be experienced in South Korea. However, national independence is still seriously concerned by most of Koreans even if it does not mean such an isolation or aggression North Korea has shown. Can South Koreans achieve independence and properity with full openness to the outside world? Time will show it to us.

Technical note: Efficiency of total demineralization and ion-exchange column for DNA extraction from bone

2009-11-16T23:06:00.001+09:00

Our paper on "Technical note: Efficiency of total demineralization and ion-exchange column for DNA extraction from bone" is available in American Journal of Physical Anthroplogy.

In this paper, we investigated whether a combination of recently introduced methods, total demineralization and ion-exchange columns, would increase DNA recovery from old bone. Ten bone samples taken after a burial period of approximately 60 years were used in this study. Bone powder was digested using total or incomplete demineralization. DNA was extracted by the standard organic method. The DNA extract was purified with ion-exchange columns or QIAquick(R) spin columns. The efficiency of different DNA extraction methods was compared in terms of DNA concentration, inhibitors generated by real-time PCR, and conventional STR typing results. The mean DNA concentration using the total demineralization method is approximately 3 times higher than that using the incomplete demineralization method. For DNA purification, the method using QIAquick(R) spin columns appeared to yield approximately double the DNA than the method using ion-exchange columns. Furthermore, 2 out of 10 samples showed higher levels of inhibition with C(T) values of IPC >/=30 cycles when using only ion-exchange columns. In STR results, total demineralization yielded more locus profiles by 4.2 loci than incomplete demineralization, and QIAquick(R) spin columns also yielded more locus profiles by 3.5 loci than ion-exchange columns. Total demineralization of bone powder significantly increased DNA yield and improved STR typing results. However, the use of ion-exchange columns was not efficient when compared with the method using QIAquick(R) spin columns. It is suggested that the combination of total demineralization and QIAquick(R) spin columns lead to greatly improved STR typing results.

The pages of Korea’s past

2009-11-16T17:07:00.007+09:00

A closer look at some of the country’s most significant historical records

I think, this article in JoongAng Daily could be useful for understanding Joseon society. Anyway, it's not too much to say that success in our studies on human remains from LSMB tombs depends on historians' abilities to provde us with information obtained from the historic documents of Joseon Dynasty.

The pages of Korea’s past - INSIDE JoongAng Daily

To know about our historian-collaborator, Dr. Shin MH, please click here.

Posted using ShareThis

Constructing a LSMB tomb during Joseon Dynasty

2009-11-16T16:37:00.013+09:00

It is very important for researchers studying on cultural or human remains from LSMB tombs to know how the tombs were constructed during Joseon Dynasty. This is because well preserved condition of LSMB tombs is closely concerned with the presence of LSMB around the coffin. The protocol for LSMB tomb construction has been well known to historians in Korea because Joseon people made the tombs according to the ritual codes of the Kingdom; thereby the information on it could be obatined in detal when historians searched for related historic documents of those times. The figure is a summary of the information. Anyway, the LSMB is completely encapsulating the coffin, like a kind of concrete box, cultural or human remains could be preserved well unless the LSMB was accidently broken before archaeological investigation began.

(A) Digging burial pit. (B) Forming LSMB on pit bottom. (C) Placing outer coffin upon LSMB bottom. (D) Forming LSMB on side walls of outer coffin. (E) Constructing inner coffin in mourning place. Spread charcoal on floor of inner coffin; Laying basal plate on charcoal layer; Placing clothes-wrapped body within coffin; Putting covering lid on inner coffin. (F) Moving inner coffin to graveyard (funeral procession). (G) When the outer coffin is laid within the grave pit, a lime-soil mixture is poured into the space between the soil and the outer coffin walls; the inner coffin is laid within outer coffin. (H) Laying cross bars upon the coffin lid. (I) and (J) Forming the LSMB upon the cross bars.

Opening of LSMB tomb. Looks like a concrete box. Coffin is seen within well-made LSMB.

The Criteria of Authentication

2009-11-16T16:26:00.003+09:00

We tried to follow the instructions in Criteria of Authenticity (Hofreiter 2001). Briefly, in-laboratory procedures were performed in the rooms only devoted to aDNA work; any modern samples were by no means imported to the rooms. PCR reaction was repeated in our lab to show reproducibility of amplification, during which negative control was always used for excluding possible contamination of modern DNA during lab works.

Reference: Hofreiter, M., Serre, D., Poinar, H.N., Kuch, M. & Pääbo, S. (2001): Ancient DNA. - Nat. Rev. Genet. 2, 353-359.

Examples of Criteria of Authentication observed in my lab

Extraction controls and PCR controls: Mock extractions and PCRs without template DNA are elementary controls that should be carried out.

Inverse correlation between amplicon length and amplification efficiency: Generally, amplification of only short DNA pieces is possible.

Quantitation of numbers of template molecules: If the number of DNA molecules that initiate the PCR is less than ~1,000, at least three independent amplifications need to be analysed, and the products need to be cloned and several clones should be sequenced.

Amplification from a second extract: The reproduction of the results from a second, independent extract should show that the result is reliable.

Journals on Korean or Asian Studies

2009-11-16T01:51:00.003+09:00

Review of Korean Studies
Korean Studies
Asian Perspective
The Journal of Korean Studies
Korea Journal
Seoul Journal of Korean Studies
Bulletin of the Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association

Links on Archaeology

2009-11-16T01:49:00.005+09:00

*Archaeology Conferences Worldwide
*Indo-Pacific Prehistory Association
*Southeast Asian Archaeology Newsblog
*FDI World Dental Federation: Two-Digit Notation to identify teeth with a number

Links on Anthropology

2009-11-16T01:47:00.003+09:00

*Center for Human Bioarchaeology, UK
*Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums, UK
*Hungarian Natural History Museum
*Paleopathology Association
*18th European Meeting of the Paleopathology Association
*Institute for Mummies and the Iceman
*Dieneke's Anthropology Blog

Lab Setting

2009-11-15T23:56:00.018+09:00

I have run my own lab for the past 10 years. Therefore, conventional setup for biological experiments is already available in my lab, i.e., microscopic observation, immunohistological studies, in situ hybridization, PCR, and Western or Norther blots. Sequencing is also available in IFM where a number of sequencers are in full operation. aDNA works are done on human mtDNA, autosomal STR and Y STR in my lab. PCRs for ancient parasite, viral or bacterial could be also performed. Though it might be too crampled for comport experiments, the instruments or reagents in my lab are arraned for effective experiment on ancient samples.

One of the most crucial points in our lab setting is making them fit for aDNA analysis, by following the Criteria of Authentication (Hofreiter et al. 2001, Marota & Rollo 2002, Willerslev & Cooper 2005). Briefly, the distance between aDNA extraction or PCR preparation rooms of Building A and main PCR lab in Building B is about 60 meters. On 4th floor in Building A, there is not any lab performing PCR amplification of modern DNA. The rooms for aDNA extraction or PCR preparation were separated from our main lab where we did PCR works. The rooms were equipped with night UV irradiation, isolated ventilation, or laminated flow hood. The researchers in our lab should follow instructions in Criteria of Authenticity (Hofreiter et al. 2001, Marota & Rollo 2002, Willerslev & Cooper, 2005). None could enter into aDNA extraction or PCR preparation rooms without permission.

My favorite songs

2009-11-15T17:28:00.031+09:00

My Colleagues 1

2009-11-13T00:58:00.049+09:00

We collabrate with many colleagues and friends from various research fields. You can see their names in our publication.

Myeung Ju Kim

He was graduated from Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine; and got trained in Dept of Anatomy, Seoul National University (MD., PhD). When I was graduate student in SNU, he was also studying in the same department. And currently both of us are doing the same work on mummy studies and Paleopathology. As seen in the left figure, he is also a great singer. Dr. Kim MJ is currently in Dankook University College of Medicine (Associate Professor). E-mail to him

Min Seo

He was one of my classmates in medical school. Anyway, during school days, he was famous for his unique inspiration, which is still his trademark even by this time. After graduated from SNU college of medicine, further studied in Dept of Parasitology of the same university (MD., PhD). All the parasitological samples obtained from archaeological fields in Korea were examined by him. Anyway, without his help, we could not make any paleoparasitological achievements until now. He dreamed of finding a extinct parasite species in ancient samples; and examined all the samples from the countries around the world (Please see him playing with camels in Mongolia!!!). I believe he could accomplish his dream. He is currently in Dept of Parasitology, Dankook University College of Medicine (Associate Professor). E-mail to him

Dong Hoon Shin

2009-11-12T21:20:00.036+09:00

I was graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine in 1992; and had been trained in Dept of Anatomy of the same college (MD., PhD). In 1999, I started to run my own lab; and after then on, for about 10 years, sill survive even if not so greatly. Before starting my paleopathological works, I was doing studies on neuroscience with morphological or molecular techniques. Even if there were not publications in "BIG" journals, you can see my 40 or more papers on neuroscience still scattered in Pubmed. However, a life-changing moment unexpectedly came in 2001 . Museum faculty of my university (Dankook University) asked me to examine "a child mummy" found in the tombs of Joseon Dynasty. I agreed with the suggestion; and they brought the "mummy" to me. When I saw the 5 year old child buried 350 years ago, I was really shocked to see "the REAL mummy", not in Egyptian or Mayan sites, but in this country, Korea. Anyway, Koreans always hoped to make their ancestors' corpses completely disappeared underground after burial. Who darely want to make their ancestor to be mummified? This must be exceptional. I believed so at that time.

However, this was not fully correct. Yes. Medieval Koreans must not have wanted their parents to be mummified, just like you and me. However, the number of Korean mummies ever found during past several decades was much numerous than expected. In a sense, it might be a kind of mass disaster which could not be properly expected by Joseon people. They built the lime-soil mixture barrier around the coffin, only for inhibiting the infiltration of intruders (i.e. roots, insects or grave looters) into their parent's tomb. However, by this, their parents' corpses were unexpectedly changed into mummies. Since this system was widely adopted by ruling class people of Joseon Kingdom, we could not estimate how many mummes are still sleeping underground in Korea.

Anyway, since 2002, I have been involved in mummy works in Korea; and extended our research field into paleopathology; not only studying on Korean mummies, but also on bones and other soft tissue remains from archaeological fields in Korea. Currently, many colleagues and frieds in Korea or other countries have cooperated with us, for elucidating the information on health or disease of Joseon people, using various techniques. At first, we only tried to see how well medical information could be obtained from the ancient samples because we were skeptical about the scientific value of age-old human tissues. However, by the continuing efforts of ours on them, the prospect for reconstructing past history of disease of Korean people by using of Korean mummies and other remains has been proven to be optimistic. At this point, my main research field is completely changed to paleopathology. Since study on this subject is just beginning in Korea, we have many things to do in forthcoming days. Of course, I am sure that within 10 years, the general information of past disease history of Korean people will loom up finally in front of us.

Autumn in SNU

2009-11-11T12:42:00.004+09:00

When I was the medical student in SNU, about 22 years ago, the trees were also there, being ablaze with autumnal tints. After then on, I always have been fascinated by the beautiful fall foliage in SNU. Red and gold visits us again this year, in the deep autumn.

Magnetic Resonance Image for Korean Mummy

2009-11-04T20:48:00.011+09:00

Can MRI be used for examination on mummies?
It might not be so difficult. If MRI could be used for living patients, why not only for mummies? I believe you think so. However, application of MRI to mummy studies is not as easy as expected. First of all, MRI could not generate images if the tissue is highly dehydrated. Since most of mummies found around the world are dehydrated, i.e. dry mummies, MRI could not be ragarded as good candidate for mummy studies.

The situation has now been changed.
Since some previous studies have shown that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used as an efficiently non-invasive diagnostic tool in studies on Egyptian mummies, MRI starts to be considered as a particularly effective diagnostic option for mummies.

We also tested MRI on our 17th centuryKorean mummy, one of the most perfectly preserved “wet mummies” ever found in Korea, in order to determine the quality of images that could be obtained. We found that the diagnostic value of an MRI scan was not at all inferior to that of a computed tomography (CT) scan. The T1- and T2-weighted MR signals showed very unique patterns not easily obtained by CT, the resultant MR images revealing the organ specificities clearly. Overall, the quality of the MR images from wet mummy was quite superb; and reconfirmed that the scientific value of MRI to the study of wet mummies cannot be underestimated.

Our work will be published in Journal of Anatomy, maybe in 2010 (in press).

Archaeology Magazine

2009-11-01T15:27:00.014+09:00

We previously conducted a paleo-parasitological study on soil samples from the ancient moat ruins of Weolseong palace, of the Silla Dynasty (BC 57–AD 935) of Korea. Based on the cultural remains found in the mud-soil layer, the layer was precipitated onto the floor of a moat between the 5th and 8th centuries AD. We found Trichuris trichiura eggs only in that mud-soil layer, whereas no parasite eggs were identified in the other archaeological strata of the ruins.

As T. trichiura eggs are shed only in human feces, we speculated that palace toilet contents were continually drained into the moat; therefore, at a certain point in time after construction, the moat finally became a ditch around the palace. Structures in the stone embankments of the moat, possibly designed to make the water flow continuously in one direction, might reflect the Silla people's efforts to alleviate the ever-increasing problems inherent in a moat.

The study could be published in Journal of Archaeological Science.

And the news was briefly reported in Archaeology Magazine (Volume 62, Number 6, Nov/Dec 2009). To see the news in Archaeology Magazine, the information is here. The same contents was also dealt in Discovery Channel, if you want to see, please click here.

Exhibition in Seoul Museum of History

2009-11-01T13:10:00.010+09:00

Anyway, human remains found in archaeological fields of Seoul could be moved to our lab for further anthropological study on them. Eunpyeong Site was one of these. The people buried in the place were thought to be living in Seoul City during 16th to 18th centuries. And sampling at the site was done by interdisciplinary work of archaeologists and anthropologists. Part of the samples from the site are currently maintaining in our Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection. Seoul Museum of History plan to held the exhibition for the site (Nov 4 2009 - Dec 13 2009); and our human remains were also displayed there as the examples of paleopathology cases (Kyphosis; Osteoma in the skull; Costovertebral joint fusion) found in the site. To see the news, Please click here!

Seoul Museum of History

Exhibition Room in the Museum

2009 Seoul International Conference held in IFM

2009-10-31T15:10:00.035+09:00

We hosted 2009 Seoul International Conference on Ancient DNA and Paleopathology. Even if it was not a big conf where many people aggregate and discuss about common interest, we think that the conf time was very happy and enjoyable for every attendant.

There were five presentations in the conference. Briefly,

Dong Hoon Shin

Seoul National University, Korea
Paleopathological Studies in Korea

Israel Hershkovitz

Tel Aviv University, Israel
Paleopathology-New Horizons

Ildiko Pap
Hungarian Natural History Museum, Hungary
Anthropological Studies in Hungary

Myeung Ju Kim
Dankook University, Korea
Establishment of sample collection much appropriate for current archaeological sciences

Seung Bum Seo

Seoul National University, Korea
Efficiency of total demineralization and ion-exchange column for DNA extraction from bone

Thank you, Ildiko and Israel.

Thank you, all my colleagues, and attendants in the conference.

IFM plan to held Seoul conference annually, and providing chance of communication to paleoplathologists in Korea and foreign countries. Anyway, One of the most important things for the researchers in this field must be friendship. Anyway, who decide to study paleopathology for being rich or publication in Nature (of course, if it could be, I must be delighted)? It's for our curiosity, the fundamental basis of all the science existed.

I posted some pictures and abstract for the conf. Please click here and dowonload them if you want. The figures posted in Web Album of Picassa will be erased on Nov 30, 2009.