Complex genetic landscape revealed by a population in the eastern Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang between the 8th and 11th centuries CE

Bibliographic Data

ID12371521
AuthorsFan Zhang (0000-0002-3643-018X, School of Archaeology and Museology Sichuan University Chengdu China), Yi Chen (0000-0003-1828-1165, Cultural Relics and Archaeology Institute of Xinjiang Xinjiang China), Zhongzhi Nie (Gansu Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology Lanzhou China), Ruojing Zhang (0000-0003-2635-3405, School of Archaeology and Museology Sichuan University Chengdu China), Chen Duan (School of Archaeology and Museology Peking University Beijing China), Di Wu (0000-0002-1269-4260, School of Accounting Southwestern University of Finance and Economics Chengdu China), Yongqiang Wang (0000-0003-4909-2965, Cultural Relics and Archaeology Institute of Xinjiang Xinjiang China, corresponding author), Chao Ning (0000-0002-8848-3961, School of Archaeology and Museology Peking University Beijing China, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume34
Issue4
Publication date2024-05-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.3300
OpenAlexW4398782435
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited31

The eastern Tianshan Mountain (ETS) region in Xinjiang, China, has played a crucial role as a major highway for large‐scale human migrations and technological exchanges across Eurasia throughout history. Understanding the genetic makeup of past populations holds significant importance in comprehending human mobility in this region. Here, we report genome‐wide ancient DNA for the two individuals whose origins remain uncertain, found at the Dahe ancient city site in the ETS region. Our results indicate that although both individuals display a higher genetic affinity to Asian populations, one individual shows some genetic sharing with South Asians, while the other shares more affinity with populations from Northeastern Asia. Radiocarbon dating shows that the two human remains were not deposited simultaneously. Overall, the combined genetic, physical anthropology and radiocarbon evidence strongly suggests that the ETS region, situated at the heart of the Silk Road , has been a crossroads of diverse populations coexisting between the 8th and 11th centuries. Additionally, the genetic ancestry sharing with the Bronze Age Tarim mummies suggested a long‐term residual of indigenous ancestry in Xinjiang and showed that autochthonous deep Asian ancestry had left their genetic legacy into the historical populations of Xinjiang despite a spanning of over three millennia

Archaeology · Biology · Bronze Age · China · East Asia · Evolutionary biology · Genetic genealogy · Geography · Human migration · Indigenous · Population · Radiocarbon dating · Demography · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Race, Genetics, and Society · Ecology