On the Issue of the Sarmatian Population Genetic Composition in the Lower Volga Region (Paleogenetic Data)

Abstract

Introduction. The article presents the results of the analysis of mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome samples obtained from the representatives of Sarmatian populations from the Lower Volga region belonging to all stages of the culture. Methods and materials. The authors have screened samples from 202 individuals representing three cultural and chronological Sarmatian groups (Early Sarmatian, Middle Sarmatian and Late Sarmatian cultures). As a result, the researchers have determined the structure and phylogenetic position of 62 mitochondrial DNA samples and 12 Y-chromosome samples, carried out a comprehensive analysis of the results. The authors have interpreted the obtained results in terms of the formation of the Sarmatian genetic composition and their genetic relationships. Results and discussion. The paper shows that the Sarmatian mitochondrial DNA pool is characterized by a high level of diversity, which is also typical for other Early Iron Age nomadic groups. The mitochondrial DNA lineages of Western Eurasian origin dominate in the Sarmatian gene pool, while lineages of Eastern Eurasian haplogroups cover less than 13% of the total sample. Data on both genetic markers suggests that the formation of the main features of the Sarmatian gene pool could be alternatively influenced by populations from more eastern regions, genetically more related to the Andronovo historical and cultural community, which is consistent with the data of physical paleoanthropology, or autochthonous populations of the Lower Volga and adjacent regions. The mitochondrial DNA data indicates a significant genetic influence of the populations from more southern regions of the Eurasian steppe belt on the Sarmatian gene pool. In addition, the authors show the presence of Eastern Eurasian components in the gene pools of all chronological Sarmatian groups, which may indicate the genetic influence of early nomads from eastern regions of the Eurasian steppe belt. The exact time of the appearance of these eastern genetic components in the Lower Volga region remains unclear. At the same time, the authors did not find the signs of an increase in the role of eastern components during the transition from the Early to Middle and to Late stages of the Sarmatian culture, which could be expected based on the data of archaeology and physical anthropology. Prospects. Prospects for a more detailed reconstruction of the Sarmatian genetic history in the Lower Volga region are associated with the further development of the diachronic model, including the accumulation of more mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome data for the population of each stage of the Sarmatian culture, the involvement of groups preceding the Sarmatians in the region in the study and the analysis of additional markers of nuclear DNA.