Abstract
Archaeogenomic studies have largely elucidated human population history in West Eurasia during the Stone Age. However, despite being a broad geographical region of significant cultural and linguistic diversity, little is known about the population history in North Asia. We present complete mitochondrial genome sequences together with stable isotope data for 41 serially sampled ancient individuals from North Asia, dated between c.13,790 BP and c.1,380 BP extending from the Palaeolithic to the Iron Age. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences and haplogroup data of these individuals revealed the highest genetic affinity to present-day North Asian populations of the same geographical region suggesting a possible long-term maternal genetic continuity in the region. We observed a decrease in genetic diversity over time and a reduction of maternal effective population size (Ne) approximately seven thousand years before present. Coalescent simulations were consistent with genetic continuity between present day individuals and individuals dating to 7,000 BP, 4,800 BP or 3,000 BP. Meanwhile, genetic differences observed between 7,000 BP and 3,000 BP as well as between 4,800 BP and 3,000 BP were inconsistent with genetic drift alone, suggesting gene flow into the region from distant gene pools or structure within the population. These results indicate that despite some level of continuity between ancient groups and present-day populations, the region exhibits a complex demographic history during the Holocene.
Highlights
Archaeogenomic studies have largely elucidated human population history in West Eurasia during the Stone Age
We fill this archaeogenetic gap by examining complete mitochondrial genome sequences and presenting radiocarbon dates of 41 serially sampled ancient individuals from North Asia, corresponding to the three major administrative regions of the Russian Federation including Cis-Baikal (Irkutsk Oblast), Trans-Baikal (Republic of Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai) and Yakutia (Sakha Republic) (Fig. 1 and Supplementary Table S1)
We generated complete mitochondrial genome sequences of 41 ancient individuals with coverages between 12× and 357× excavated from the Baikal and Yakutia regions in North Asia (Fig. 1, and Supplementary Table S2). 14 individuals were genetically identified as females and 27 were males (Supplementary Table S2)[7]
Summary
Archaeogenomic studies have largely elucidated human population history in West Eurasia during the Stone Age. Genetic differences observed between 7,000 BP and 3,000 BP as well as between 4,800 BP and 3,000 BP were inconsistent with genetic drift alone, suggesting gene flow into the region from distant gene pools or structure within the population These results indicate that despite some level of continuity between ancient groups and present-day populations, the region exhibits a complex demographic history during the Holocene. The population history in North Asia has remained largely unknown with a limited number of published ancient genomes[14,15] We fill this archaeogenetic gap by examining complete mitochondrial genome sequences and presenting radiocarbon dates of 41 serially sampled ancient individuals from North Asia, corresponding to the three major administrative regions of the Russian Federation including Cis-Baikal (Irkutsk Oblast), Trans-Baikal (Republic of Buryatia and Zabaykalsky Krai) and Yakutia (Sakha Republic) (Fig. 1 and Supplementary Table S1)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
