Forbes: When did mammoths go extinct?
Environmental DNA can be misleading, UC paleontologist says
Forbes talked to a University of Cincinnati paleontologist about why environmental DNA is not the best barometer for dating extinctions.
UC College of Arts and Sciences assistant professor Joshua Miller was lead author of a paper published in Nature titled “When did mammoths go extinct?” that refuted a previous study suggesting mammoths went extinct much more recently than believed.
“We can radiocarbon date all kinds of things: bones, teeth, charcoal, leaves. That’s very powerful. But currently, we can’t independently date DNA found in sediments,” Miller told Forbes.
Miller said environmental DNA can persist for thousands of years in arctic climates, making it unreliable for dating extinctions.
Miller said mammoths probably went extinct between 10,000 and 13,000 years ago. Some island populations survived longer.
Featured image at top: Cameron Schwalbach, paleontology collections manager for the Cincinnati Museum Center’s Geier Collections and Research Center, and UC assistant professor Joshua Miller examine a mammoth skull. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
UC assistant professor Joshua Miller poses with a bronze mammoth outside the Cincinnati Museum Center's Geier Collections and Research Center. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
UC Geosciences in the News
UC associate professor Joshua Miller examines a mammoth tusk at the Cincinnati Museum Center's Geier Collections and Research Center. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
- Spectrum News: Paleontologist disputes date when mammoths went extinct
- European Times: New study refutes timeline of mammoth extinction
- Science Times: When did mammoth extinction take place?
Related Stories
Senior peer career coaches graduate with resumes ready
April 17, 2021
Profiles three senior peer career coaches in the University of Cincinnati's Bearcat Promise Career Studio
UC students recognized for achievement in undergraduate research
April 12, 2021
Undergraduate student researchers in sciences and humanities recognized in 2021
2021 University Recognition Ceremony honors student achievements
April 13, 2021
The University of Cincinnati recognizes students each year who have made significant service, leadership, and academic contributions to the UC community. These students exemplify the spirit of what it means to be a Bearcat.
UC Day of Giving a success
April 28, 2021
University of Cincinnati Day of Giving’s 24-hour challenge was a tremendous success this year, raising $2,219,197 with 3,232 gifts. The fourth annual UC Day of Giving raised its most money to date with alumni, donors, students, faculty and staff joining together to support UC and UC Health.
'To make him proud was high on her list'
April 1, 2021
Alex Lewis lost her 82-year-old grandfather to Covid-19 just five weeks before her dream school showed up on the front steps of Roger Bacon High School to tell the senior that she has been admitted to the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing as part of a touching Decision Day surprise effort this year.
UC students recognized for achievement in undergraduate research
April 29, 2020
Each spring, the University of Cincinnati’s Division of Experience-Based Learning and Career Education (ELCE) honors students in experience-based learning programs.
President picks exceptional talent
April 28, 2021
The University of Cincinnati 2021 Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence Awards honor six undergraduate scholars for scholarship, leadership, character, service and the ideals of the university. Awardees are spotlighted for exceptional academics, creativity, community service and innovation.
Listen: Cincy Playhouse shares CCM audio plays
May 28, 2021
Each audio play is its own story, and you can listen to these pieces for free in any order you choose. They represent a year-long collaboration that reached into many corners of Cincinnati. Students from all over UC (CCM Acting, Sound Design, Stage Management, Commercial Music Production, Digital Media, and the College of Arts & Sciences’ Fiction PhD program) and local professional writers (YA author Liz Coley and musician, comedian and raconteur Paul Strickland) came together to make something truly special. Paul Strickland's play will be available soon. The Playhouse is assisting CCM by hosting and helping to promote these free audio plays.
UC staff have elected their 2021-23 Staff Senators
June 8, 2021
Join us in congratulating the 2021-23 new Staff Senate members! Elections were held in early May, and new senators will begin their two-year term in July 2021. All UC staff are encouraged to be part of the enthusiasm and excitement for our new senators by attending the Staff Senate online meeting via WebEx, June 30, 9-11 a.m.
UC LGBTQ Center founder takes on new diversity role
June 1, 2021
When Leisan Smith, ’99, ME ’03, began work this year as the inaugural chief equity officer at the prestigious Columbus School for Girls, the school’s staff and faculty were thrilled. The job description, they said, “was written for you.”