ABSTRACT
Patterns of genetic variation in animals and humans are influenced by both ancient and modern demographic processes, the signatures of which may often be recognized. The genetic investigation of extant populations may result in inferences about relationships and origins that have much to contribute to archaeological questions. In livestock species, the amount of potential Dna data is vast, both in sample size and in the amount of the genome which may now be assayed. A range of techniques examining different types of genetic change afford flexibility, allowing potential assessment of a range/scale of relationships almost as wide as the tree of life itself. Importantly, each type of change proceeds in time-related fashion and allows the establishing of a molecular clock through which time depths of past events may be estimated. Variation at the Dna level is the primary, basal level of genetic difference and is free from me environmental noise mat bints omet data, such as that used in morphometric analyses.
