Abstract
Early nomads in the Eurasian steppes since the beginning of the 1st millennium BC played a key role in the formation of the cultural and genetic landscape of populations of a significant part of Eurasia, from Eastern Europe to Eastern Central Asia. Numerous archaeological cultures associated with early nomads have been discovered throughout the Eurasian steppe belt. The Tagar archaeological culture existed in the Minusinsk basin (Sayan Mountains, Southern Siberia, Russia) in the northeastern periphery of the Eurasian steppe belt from the 8th to 1st century BC during the pre-Scythian, Scythian, and Early Xiongnu-Sarmatian periods. In this study, we evaluated mtDNA diversity in the Tagar population based on representative series (N = 79) belonging to all chronological stages of the culture. The Tagar population had a mixed mtDNA pool dominated by Western Eurasian haplogroups and subgroups (H, HV6, HV*, I, K, T, U2e, U4, U5a, and U*) and, to a lesser degree, Eastern Eurasian haplogroups (A*, A8, C*, C5, D, G2a, and F1b). The Tagar population showed a similar mtDNA pool structure to those of other Iron Age populations representing the “Scythian World.” We observed particularly high similarity between the Tagar and Classic Scythians from the North Pontic region. Our results support the assumption that genetic components introduced by Bronze Age migrants from Western Eurasia contributed to the formation of the genetic composition of Scythian period populations in Southern Siberia. Another important component of the Tagar mtDNA pool was autochthonous East Eurasian lineages, some of which (A8 and C4a2a) are potential markers of the westward genetic influence of the eastern populations of the Scythian period. Our results suggest a genetic continuity (at least partial) between the Early, Middle, and Late Tagar populations.
Highlights
In the 1st millennium BC, numerous groups of early nomads arose and spread within the steppe belt of Eurasia
The range of early nomads encompasses the Eurasian steppes from the North Pontic region in the west to Southern Siberia and Eastern Central Asia in the east
The Tagar archaeological culture existed in the territory of the Minusinsk basin in the northeastern periphery of the Eurasian steppe belt for almost the entire 1st millennium BC, that is, during the pre-Scythian, Scythian, and Early Xiongnu-Sarmatian periods
Summary
In the 1st millennium BC, numerous groups of early nomads arose and spread within the steppe belt of Eurasia. Large collections of skeletal remains have accumulated, many of which have been characterized by methods in physical anthropology (craniometry, odontology, etc.) These paleoanthropological collections have been used for molecular genetic studies of the Early Iron Age nomads, from single samples and small local series [1,2,3] to comparative studies of the genetic composition of nomadic populations from geographically remote steppe regions, using both uniparental markers, especially mitochondrial DNA, and whole nuclear genome data [4]. The Tagar archaeological culture existed in the territory of the Minusinsk basin (the Sayan mountain system, middle reaches of the Yenisei River, Republic of Khakassia, Russia) in the northeastern periphery of the Eurasian steppe belt for almost the entire 1st millennium BC, that is, during the pre-Scythian, Scythian, and Early Xiongnu-Sarmatian periods During this time, the Tagar culture progressed through several stages (for details of these stages see S4 File), which differ in material culture features and funeral practices [5, 6]. We discuss the results of genetic analyses in the context of the issues of the Tagar population origin, its relationship with other ancient populations in Southern Siberia and other regions, and the dynamics of its genetic structure during the 1st millennium BC
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