Analysis of DNA from parchment charters

Researchers from the fields of genetics and diplomatics have, within the framework of an interdisciplinary collaboration, genetically analysed several charters from the Diplomatic Apparatus. The team led by Prof. Dr. Hedwig Röckelein and Prof. Dr. Henner Simianer examined three parchment charters in order to analyse the DNA of the medieval animals whose skins were used in the production of the documents. This rather unusual research project included two charters from the Augustinian Canons’ Monastery of Riechenberg near Goslar as well as one from Abdinghof Monastery in Paderborn.

Cf. Heinrich, F., Simianer, H., Bölling, J., Röckelein, H., Roos, C., Reimer, C., Schmitt, A.O.: Genomic analysis of three medieval parchments from German monasteries, in: Sci Rep [= Springer Nature. Scientific Reports] 15, 3156 (2025), URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86887-y