An article published in the journal “Nature” reports the identification of environmental DNA dating back to two million years ago discovered in sediments taken in the Kap København Formation in Greenland. A team of researchers led by Professors Eske Willerslev and Kurt H. Kjær used state-of-the-art technologies available for this type of exam.

Microscopic fragments of DNA were found for a total of 41 usable samples stored in clay and quartz within sediments that remained in the ice for two million years. The analysis of the samples revealed the presence of various species of plants and animals, not all identifiable with precision but nonetheless useful to get an idea of that ancient ecosystem.