Outreach Activities
In addition to our publications, conference presentations, and the courses and talks we offer, we also provide a video tutorial on how to collect sedaDNA samples from archaeological profiles.
Video tutorial: How to collect sedaDNA samples from archaeological profiles
uploaded: December, 16 2025
Summary
This video tutorial demonstrates the correct procedure for collecting sedaDNA samples from archaeological profiles. It shows how to take DNA samples in a way that avoids contamination and explains best practices for maintaining sample integrity. In addition, the video illustrates how sedaDNA sampling can be combined with block sampling for geoarchaeological analyses.
Video editor: Ani Hristonova
Other persons involved: Susan Mentzer, Jens Grammer, Gerlinde Bigga, Christopher Miller
This video was funded by the Leibniz Association and developed within the framework of the Leibniz ScienceCampus Geogenomic Archaeology Campus Tübingen (Project number: W73/2022), and was supported by the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts Baden-Württemberg.
GACT Sampling protocol
We have published a sampling protocol for obtaining sediment from archaeological excavations in caves and rockshelters for the purposes of biomolecular analyses. Read more on protocols.io.
Authors: Freya Steinhagen, Ani Hristonova, Jens Grammer, Christopher Miller, Cosimo Posth, Susan Mentzer
Public outreach is a vital part of our Leibniz ScienceCampus. It connects science with society, making complex knowledge accessible, engaging, and relevant to broader audiences. By sharing our findings beyond academic circles, we foster dialogue, inspire curiosity, and encourage critical thinking. Outreach also helps us reflect on the societal impact of our work and invites new perspectives. At GACT, we are committed to open science and creative ways of bringing our research to life.
Dirty Science – Caves as Archives of the Past
Our first exhibition started on April 16, 2026, at the Schlosslabor in Tübingen, the place where Friedrich Miescher first discovered DNA.
The exhibition is open during regular museum opening hours. Admission is free.
Explore our digital exhibition guide in English and German:
Dirty Science – Caves as Archives of the Past
Dirty Science – Höhlen als Archive der Vergangenheit
Explore Our Digital Content
We invited Lea Neubauer from the Leibniz Society to write an article about Hohle Fels in the Leibniz Magazin (German language). Read the article
For the Science and Innovation Days of the University of Tübingen in Novembre 2024 we offered a cave exit game „Streit im Hohle Fels“ in a hybrid format at the Science Fair. We digitzed the game and offer it online for free. Play our game (in German language)!
We also created additional digital content for the “Long Night of the Dinosaurs” to complement the exhibition and connect it to the event’s theme of “Conflicts.” Explore what happens in the Bärenhöhle (German language)!