Spitting Image

Researchers at Harvard University have discovered two new sources of usable ancient human DNA, according to ScienceDaily.com. They have been able to extract it from dried saliva found in the cores of "quids", bundles of yucca leaves used as a kind of chewing gum, and from remains of menstrual blood found on "aprons", thong-like garments worn by women. Who knew old gum and maxi pads would prove so valuable to science. And valuable they are, as this DNA will help track the migration patterns of early North Americans and perhaps help us understand where they learned their agricultural techniques. Here's hoping Erich von Daniken gets another book deal out of this. I'd love to read Menses of the Gods.