Diversity of Mitochondrial DNA Variants within Okunevo Culture Carriers from the Syda V Burial Ground (Minusinsk Basin)

Abstract

Purpose. Despite a long study, the problem of the Okunevo population origin remains unresolved, including the level of participation of autochthonous and possible migrant groups in the formation of its genetic composition. The purpose of this article is to obtain new data on the mitochondrial DNA diversity in the Okunevo population, in particular in a series of samples from the Syda V burial ground, and also to interpret these new paleogenetic results in the light of possible mechanisms for the formation of specific features of the Okunevo gene pool.Results. We successfully analyzed structure, phylogeny and phylogeography of 25 new mitochondrial DNA samples from the burial grounds of the Okunevo culture of the Minusinsk basin. The study made it possible to almost double the total number of successfully studied Okunevo mtDNA samples. The series of samples we studied from the Syda V burial ground (N = 23) is the first high representative local-territorial series of mtDNA samples for the Okunev population of the region. The new results and literature data are discussed in the context of the problem of the formation of the Okunevo population`s genetic composition and its role in the further genetic history of the southern regions of Siberia.Conclusion. The main role in the formation of the Okunev population were played by genetic elements of autochthonous origin associated with the aboriginal pre-Afanasievo groups. Possible role of migrants remains unclear and requires further research using paleogenetic methods.