Even nowadays, any researcher studying ancient DNA is working exclusively with fragments. First, researchers extract DNA fragments from bones, teeth, or preserved samples of an organism, and further, applying various methodologies, they attempt to reconstruct the genome of the species step-by-step. Such discoveries have significantly impacted the views regarding mammoths, Neanderthals, and a number of other extinct organisms.
Nevertheless, there is always one limitation. Given that DNA starts decaying over time, much of it cannot be researched anymore since it has disintegrated. Such considerations guided many scientific efforts in this sphere for decades. At least until scientists decided to conduct research on a woolly mammoth found in Siberia. At first, it seemed to be just another promising sample which can be studied. The results were unexpected.
