The development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the late 1980s made it possible to amplify tiny quantities of DNA into amounts large enough for analysis.

The subsequent development of next-generation sequencing technology in the 2000s made it possible to sequence millions of short DNA fragments simultaneously, which was essential for working with the degraded material from ancient remains.

Authentication methods — the ability to recognize the specific chemical damage patterns that genuine ancient DNA shows, distinguishing it from modern contamination — improved substantially through the 1990s and 2000s.

All of these developments made ancient DNA work possible in environments that had previously been entirely closed to researchers.