A similar study, looking at the population continuity but more
specifically focused on the impact of European contact in the Solomon
Islands, was undertaken on nineteenth century hair and
tooth samples found in the Duckworth Collection at the University
of Cambridge (Ricaut et al., 2010). The samples were collected by
Lieutenant Somerville during the British Royal Cartographic survey
of the New Georgia group in the Western Solomons in 1893 and
1894. Hair samples were collected by Somerville from living people
while tooth samples were taken from nearby ancestor shrines and
thus their age is unknown. A total of 21 samples were analysed,
consisting of teeth from 13 individuals and hair shafts (no roots)
from eight individuals. Samples were sequenced for the HVS-I and
the 9 bp deletion. Strict protocols to both reduce the likelihood of
contamination and to identify any possible contamination were
employed and all lab work was carried out in specialized aDNA
facilities.