Posted on. (Answer #1). In anthropology, mitochondrial DNA is useful for the purpose of tracing ancestry. It is very useful for telling which people are related to which other people. This is because it is passed down through the mother and does not recombine.It is also useful for telling how long ago people were related.Answer #1). In anthropology, mitochondrial DNA is useful for the purpose of tracing ancestry. It is very useful for telling which people are related to which other people. This is because it is passed down through the mother and does not recombine. It is also useful for telling how long ago people were related.