Genetic Kinship and Sex Determination of Early Modern Period Human Remains from a Defunct Graveyard in the Former Village of Obora (Located on Šporkova Street in Prague’s Lesser Town District)

either in the same grave, multi-level grave, or neighbourhood grave. Success of genetic analyses is
based on the quantity and quality of extracted aDNA, which can be compromised by degradation
of DNA and possible contamination by modern DNA. We analysed archaeological skeletal remains
from an Early Modern period graveyard belonging to the Church of St. John the Baptist in the former
village of Obora, one of the most honourable Early Modern period archaeological sites in the Czech
Republic. Most of the 906 excavated anatomically-laid burials are dated to the years 1730s–1770s.
The results of 23 analysed individuals (divided into 4 groups) revealed that individuals are not blood
relatives. Studies of historical written sources provide information that the parish affiliation at the time
of death had a crucial role in choosing the place for burial. Genetic analyses increased success rate of
sex determination to 91% compared to 61% determined by morphological methods. We were thus able
to determine the genetic sex of children, an evaluation that cannot be made by morphological methods.