A Genetic Analysis of Human Remains from the Bronze Age (2nd Millennium BC) Cemetery Bertek-56 in the Altai Mountains

Abstract

Bone samples from two individuals (an adult and a child) buried at a Middle Bronze Age cemetery Bertek-56 on the Ukok Plateau, Altai, were subjected to a genetic analysis. The results are interpreted with reference to archaeological and craniometric data. Four systems of genetic markers were analyzed: mitochondrial DNA, the polymorphic part of amelogenin gene, autosomal STR-loci, and STR-loci of Y-chromosome. Complete information on these genetic markers was obtained for the adult individual. For the child, data on mitochondrial DNA, amelogenin gene, and partial profi les of autosomal and Y-chromosomal STR-loci are available. Both individuals were shown to be male and unrelated. The boy’s mitochondrial DNA belongs to the Western Eurasian haplogroup K (subgroup K1a24a), and that of the adult male, to the Eastern Eurasian haplogroup C. Using the predictor program, the Y-chromosomal haplotype of the adult individual (17 Y-chromosomal STR-loci) was identifi ed as Eastern Eurasian haplogroup Q. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analysis of the results suggests that the Bertek population originated from an admixture of two genetically contrasting groups, one with Eastern Eurasian, the other with Western Eurasian features. These results are consistent with those of the archaeological and craniometric analysis indicating the admixture of autochthonous groups with immigrants from western Eurasia.