Ministry of Education and Science RA State Committee of Science

Comparative archaeogenetic investigation of ancient grape remains from Areni cave.

The exploration of the ancient biodiversity is very useful for understanding of phyllogenesis and identification of the important wild gene pools for domesticated grapevines. The overall objective of project is to study the genetic diversity, origin and history of domestication of grapevine in Armenia by means of modern genetic and archeological methods. Deposits of grape remain found in Areni cave archaeological contexts in Armenia represent natural genebank, which will help us transport genetic information from the past to the present, and to compare that data with current wild and cultivated varieties of grape in Armenia, and around the world. Ancient DNA from grape remains will be investigated utilizing internationally accepted 20 microsatellite markers as well as a host of other bioinformatics approaches.