Ancient DNA analysis of medieval specimens is technically challenging.

Medieval skeletons have been in the ground for a long time, subject to the same biological and chemical processes that degrade DNA.

The quality of ancient DNA preservation depends on the burial environment, soil acidity, temperature, moisture, and on the specific elements of the skeleton being sampled.

Dense bone elements, particularly from the skull and the inner ear, tend to yield better-quality ancient DNA than softer bone material.

For Conquest Man, the DNA analysis produced results sufficient to characterize his ancestry as showing “substantial ancestry from continental Europe.” The general finding, continental European heritage, is presented as a robust result rather than a borderline one.