Ancient Populations Research Articles

Гибридизация в эволюции человека

Materials and methods. Scientific literature to review was collected from the PubMed database (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), some other publications were collected from the open internet sources. Results. Herein we represent a review of current data for genetics regarding the hybridization events of the human evolution. The paper reviews ancient human interactions that had place 30-1000 thousands of years ago and could be detected by the methods of genetics. Both, divergence of the Old World human population and consequent introgression and hybridization processes that had led to the formation of modern human are analyzed. Discussion. The current genetics allows to study and analyze genomes of human and other animals in the aim to discover their evolutionary relationships. The consequent reveal of the ancient and extinct animal genomes allowed to speak about palaeogenetics, while the genome comparisons have formed a new discipline, comparative genomics, an analogue of the comparative anatomy. Modern and ancient human genomes' analysis have discovered the ancient human subpopulations' interactions and relations, part of which gave rise to the modern humans. Conclusion. Modern humans are a result of i) evolution of the isolated ancient human populations which had formed 200–1000 thousands of years ago; and ii) of interaction between them. Indeed, a number of hybridization events we can see during the human evolution, most of them are reflected in the modern and ancient human genomes.

Domestic donkey (Equus asinus asinus) at Gonur Depe and its distribution in the Ancient East

The domestic donkey (Equus asinus asinus) is a hardy, versatile working animal. This species still plays an important role in the traditional economy of the peoples of Central Asia and adjacent regions. At the same time, very little is known about the ways in which this domestic species appeared in the region and the nature of its use in the early historical epochs. The morphological features of ancient donkeys are also poorly studied. It is as-sumed that donkeys appear in the Middle East in the 4th millennium BC. Zooarchaeological data shows that the ancient population of Turkmenistan did not breed the donkey until the Late Bronze Age. Equid bones found at Chalcolithic, Early and Middle Bronze Age sites belong to the onager (Equus hemionus). Donkey bones first ap-peared in the materials from the excavations of the sites of the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Culture (BMAC). One of the most famous site of BMAC is Gonur Depe, the administrative and ceremonial center of ancient Margi-ana. It is located in the ancient delta of the Murghab River. Gonur Depe dates from 2500 till 1500 BC. The protourban center includes two main sites — North and South Gonur. During the excavation at Gonur, 142 indi-vidual bones and 9 complete skeletons of the domestic donkey were found. Perhaps the isolated donkey bones fell into the trash layers during the destruction of the ritual objects. No traces of purposeful slaughter of these animals and consumption of their meat were found. The donkey skeletons were found inside the human burials or in associated structures, although there are independent burials of these animals as well. So, for example, at the area 8, the donkey, surrounded by ceramic vessels was placed in a tomb made of adobe bricks. In the burials 3200 and 3900, the skeletons of donkeys were found alongside the skeletons of double-humped camels and re-mains of four-wheeled wagons. In total, 4 burials with carts were found at Gonur, where the skeletons of camels are always present, whereas only in two of them — the skeletons of donkeys. It is possible that the bulls and camels were main draft animals of the Gonur people, while the donkeys mainly played the role of a pack and rid-ing animals. The height at the withers of the Gonur donkeys, reconstructed on the basis of measurements of the complete skeletons, was 115–120 cms. These were animals of average size for their species.

The prevalence of Stafne bone cavity: A meta-analysis of 355,890 individuals

Background/purposeA Stafne bone cavity (SBC) is an incidental depression in the lingual surface of the mandible. The aim of this study is to provide pooled estimates of the frequency of Stafne bone cavity and to correlate its presence with such variables as sex, laterality, diagnostic methods and population. Materials and methodsPotential studies were searched through four electronic databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Journal Storage. Titles, abstracts, and full texts of the articles were screened. ResultsA total of 54 studies relating to 355,890 subjects met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. A meta-analysis using the DerSimonian-Laird model revealed an overall prevalence of 0.17% (CI:0.14%–0.21%, I2 = 80.7%). SBC was four times more common in males than females (z = 6.94, P < 0.01), and was unilateral in almost all cases (z = 12.90, P < 0.01). Radiographic studies yielded a lower SBC prevalence at 0.12% (CI:0.09%–0.15%, I2 = 71.7%) than computed tomography studies, skeletal studies and excavation studies. Ancient populations had three times higher SBC prevalences (0.47%, CI:0.21%–0.73%, I2 = 89.5%) than the average populations today (z = 3.21, P < 0.01). ConclusionThe prevalence of Stafne bone cavity is approximately 0.17%, and was four times more prevalent in males than females. This variant bone cavity was also present unilaterally in the majority of cases. Awareness of SBC is important for dentists, maxillofacial surgeons and other practitioners performing routine dental practices and interpreting panoramic radiographs.

Genetic Variation among Pharmacogenes in the Sardinian Population.

Pharmacogenetics (PGx) aims to identify the genetic factors that determine inter-individual differences in response to drug treatment maximizing efficacy while decreasing the risk of adverse events. Estimating the prevalence of PGx variants involved in drug response, is a critical preparatory step for large-scale implementation of a personalized medicine program in a target population. Here, we profiled pharmacogenetic variation in fourteen clinically relevant genes in a representative sample set of 1577 unrelated sequenced Sardinians, an ancient island population that accounts for genetic variation in Europe as a whole, and, at the same time is enriched in genetic variants that are very rare elsewhere. To this end, we used PGxPOP, a PGx allele caller based on the guidelines created by the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC), to identify the main phenotypes associated with the PGx alleles most represented in Sardinians. We estimated that 99.43% of Sardinian individuals might potentially respond atypically to at least one drug, that on average each individual is expected to have an abnormal response to about 17 drugs, and that for 27 drugs the fraction of the population at risk of atypical responses to therapy is more than 40%. Finally, we identified 174 pharmacogenetic variants for which the minor allele frequency was at least 10% higher among Sardinians as compared to other European populations, a fact that may contribute to substantial interpopulation variability in drug response phenotypes. This study provides baseline information for further large-scale pharmacogenomic investigations in the Sardinian population and underlines the importance of PGx characterization of diverse European populations, such as Sardinians.

SEM-EDX micro-analysis and FTIR infrared microscopy by ATR of a bladder stone from the IIIth millennium BC from the B1S passage-grave of the necropolis in Chenon (Charente, France)

Here is a case of bladder stone of average size dated to the Late Neolithic period, found in the multiple burial of the B1S passage-grave in Chenon (Charente, France). Chemical analysis showed a mixed composition. The core, intermediate and surface envelopes consist in calcium phosphate apatite associated with whitlockite and amorphous carbonated calcium phosphate, all clarified by Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy. Calcium phosphatic stones are characteristic of communities, such as those of the Neolithic period, where the diet was rich in cereal carbohydrates and poor in animal proteins. The excavation of such extra-skeletal objects is an event that is particularly interesting as it provides documents on the history of diseases and diets in ancient populations. The complete set of data suggests that this bladder stone was formed during a urinary tract infection with a germ possessing a very active urease.

Archaeological and anthropological characteristics of the Аkterek burial ground

In modern physical anthropology, a significant place is given to the study of the morphology of the dental system. Odontological data contain important information in the study of ethnogenetic processes of ancient and modern populations. In this article, for the first time, an odontological study of craniological materials from the Akterek burial ground, Zhambyl district of Almaty region, was carried out. Paleoanthropological materials from the excavations of the 2014, 2017 and 2021 field seasons were presented. As well as the archaeological data of the burials in which these materials were found. Based on a comparative typological analysis of the accompanying inventory, a historical chronology of these materials was carried out, which covers the period from the II century BC – I century AD to the VI-X centuries AD. The research program included 15 odontological, 2 odo-glyphic signs. Evaluation of signs and their analysis were carried out in accordance with the methodology and methodology of A.A. Zubov. The results of the study allow us to draw conclusions about the Caucasian, odontogenetic basis in the anthropological composition of the population of Akterek. The results of the study prove that the anthropological type of this period is very similar to the Saks of the early Iron Age of Central Kazakhstan, especially according to the signs of the western complex. The anthropological type of the Ak Terek series of the Turkic and ancient period belongs to the Western odontological complex, the Mongoloid elements are very poorly reflected. This is evidenced by the 114 signs of the “eastern” complex of enamel congestion and the anterior fossa of the second lower molar. In general, the comparative analysis definitely indicates the similarity of the Actors with the series Kultobe (South Kazakhstan), Old Terbez, Dalverzintepe (Uzbekistan). Key words: archaeology, burial mounds, monuments, anthropology, odontology, paleoanthropology, craniology, erasure, complex, typological.

Веб-информационное обеспечение комплексных археолого-географических исследований на юге Западной Сибири

One of the current trends in archaeological geoinformatics in Russia is the creation of web mapping portals that integrate spatial and thematic data on the given areas of concentration of archaeological sites. As part of the study of the life support system of the ancient population of the Tura and Pyshma interfl uves (Tyumen region) developed a geoportal on the basis of free and open source soft ware. The server part developed on the basis of GeoServer, provides storage of the information and authorized access to it. Vector data is stored in PostgreSQL database management system using PostGIS add-in. Raster data is stored on the server as GeoTIFF and MrSID fi les. Th e technologies used in the development of the client web-application allow using it in modern web-browsers without installing additional soft ware on the user’s devices. Th e geoportal user interface is an interactive map of spatial data layers as well as map control elements. Th e general control elements include the zoom buttons, the scale setting on the available layer extents, the zoom slider, the scale bar, the geographic coordinates fi eld of the cursor installation, the button enabling the attribute information display mode. Th ematic content of the geoportal includes space images with medium (10 m) and extra high (up to 0.3 m) spatial resolution, AW3D relief model (25 m), topographic maps, UAV images of certain areas (orthophotomaps and DEM), vectorlayers of archaeological sites, hydrography, landscapes restoration, results of archaeological sites borders mapping using GPS-receivers, as well as the results of bathymetry survey. Th e layer of archaeological site (366 objects) contains attributive information including type, period, description, dating. Geoportal is a convenient tool for management and visualization of the accumulated information arrays for specialists without extensive knowledge in cartography and GIS.

The Genetic Echo of the Tarim Mummies in Modern Central Asians.

The diversity of Central Asians has been shaped by multiple migrations and cultural diffusion. Although ancient DNA studies have revealed the demographic changes of the Central Asian since the Bronze Age, the contribution of the ancient populations to the modern Central Asian remains opaque. Herein, we performed high-coverage sequencing of 131 whole genomes of Indo-European-speaking Tajik and Turkic-speaking Kyrgyz populations to explore their genomic diversity and admixture history. By integrating the ancient DNA data, we revealed more details of the origins and admixture history of Central Asians. We found that the major ancestry of present-day Tajik populations can be traced back to the admixture of the Bronze Age Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex and Andronovo-related populations. Highland Tajik populations further received additional gene flow from the Tarim mummies, an isolated ancient North Eurasian–related population. The West Eurasian ancestry of Kyrgyz is mainly derived from Historical Era populations in Xinjiang of China. Furthermore, the recent admixture signals detected in both Tajik and Kyrgyz are ascribed to the expansions of Eastern Steppe nomadic pastoralists during the Historical Era.

Genomic insight into the population history and biological adaptations of high-altitude Tibetan highlanders in Nagqu

Tibetan, one of the largest indigenous populations living in the high-altitude region of the Tibetan Plateau (TP), has developed a suite of physiological adaptation strategies to cope with the extreme highland environment in TP. Here, we reported genome-wide SNP data from 48 Kham-speaking Nagqu Tibetans and analyzed it with published data from 1,067 individuals in 167 modern and ancient populations to characterize the detailed Tibetan subgroup history and population substructure. Overall, the patterns of allele sharing and haplotype sharing suggested (1) the relatively genetic homogeny between the studied Nagqu Tibetans and ancient Nepalese as well as present-day core Tibetans from Lhasa, Nagqu, and Shigatse; and (2) the close relationship between our studied Kham-speaking Nagqu Tibetans and Kham-speaking Chamdo Tibetans. The fitted qpAdm models showed that the studied Nagqu Tibetans could be fitted as having the main ancestry from late Neolithic upper Yellow River millet farmers and deeply diverged lineages from Southern East Asians (represented by Upper Paleolithic Guangxi_Longlin and Laos_Hoabinhian), and a non-neglectable western Steppe herder-related ancestry (∼3%). We further scanned the candidate genomic regions of natural selection for our newly generated Nagqu Tibetans and the published core Tibetans via FST, iHS, and XP-EHH tests. The genes overlapping with these regions were associated with essential human biological functions such as immune response, enzyme activity, signal transduction, skin development, and energy metabolism. Together, our results shed light on the admixture and evolutionary history of Nagqu Tibetan populations.

Insights into evolutionary dynamics of East Asians through Ancient DNA

<p indent="0mm">Human origins and evolution are a principal focus of the Earth and Life Sciences. To address these important scientific subjects, the extraction, sequencing, and analysis of ancient DNA from subfossil materials and sediments has emerged as a powerful tool, forming a cutting-edge research field for the country’s innovation competitions. Ancient DNA provides unique advantages by allowing the direct observation of the changing genetic composition of ancient populations to unveil an expanding picture of the origin and evolution of humans in rich detail. Since 2010, the genomic data of ancient humans have grown exponentially, which has dramatically increased our knowledge of important questions such as the interaction between archaic humans and early modern humans, and the genetic components of past modern human lineages. However, compared to other regions worldwide, China had lagged far behind in the ancient DNA research field, and the genetic history of humans in East Asia, especially China, remained poorly understood. Before 2017, while hundreds of genomes of past Europeans and North Asians had been generated, those of East Asians were extremely limited (only four ancient human genomes had been generated from Japan), highlighting large gaps in our knowledge of past population histories between eastern and western Eurasia. In 2017, Qiaomei Fu’s research team had published the oldest East Asian genome sequenced to date, from the approximately 40000-year-old Tianyuan individual near Beijing, which opened up new prospects for the genetic study of past East Asians. Since then, they have continued to extensively sequence large numbers of ancient human genomes across different times and regions of China, including genomes from approximately 33000-to-300-year-old humans from Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Fujian, Guangxi, Xinjiang and the Taiwan Strait. This data has been used to identify the genetic characteristics of different ancient populations in East Asia, such as Basal East Asians (represented by the Tianyuan individual) and the Ancient Guangxi population (represented by the Longlin individual) which did not contribute to present-day Eurasians, as well as explore the primary ancestries of Ancient Northern East Asians and Ancient Southern East Asians, which compose the genetic makeup of East Asians today. These studies revealed the previously unknown genetic connections among past East Asians and other ancient and present-day populations in different regions of the world, elucidated the migration and interaction models of related populations, and characterized the genetic variation associated with environmental adaptations. These pioneering works have untangled the evolutionary dynamics of East Asians over a large timescale, challenged, supported, or revised several existing hypotheses, and played a significant role in a more comprehensive reconstruction of human history. The results of these studies have additionally provided important scientific value and practical significance for human microevolution and medical genetics research.

Diet, Polyphenols, and Human Evolution

Although diet has contributed significantly to the evolution of human beings, the composition of the diet that has most affected this phenomenon is still an open issue. Diet has undoubtedly participated in the acquisition of the skills that underlie the differentiation of humans from other animal species and in this context the development of the nervous system has played a primary role. This paper aimed to: (1) outline the relationship between diet and human evolution; (2) evaluate how a variation in food consumption may have contributed to the enhancement of cognitive and adaptive capacities. The most widespread diet among the ancient populations that showed the highest levels of civilization (that is well-organized societies, using advanced technical tools, and promoting art and science) was very close to what is now defined as the Mediterranean diet. This suggests that a dietary approach typical of the Mediterranean basin (little meat and some fish; abundant cereals, legumes, fruit, vegetables and wine) significantly increased the intake of antioxidant molecules, including polyphenols, which along with other factors may have modulated the cognitive evolution of humans.

Chemical and stellar properties of early-type dwarf galaxies around the Milky Way

Early-type dwarf galaxies (ETDs) are the end-points of the evolution of low-mass galaxies whose gas supplies have been extinguished. The cessation of star formation lays bare the ancient stellar populations. A wealth of information is stored in the colours, magnitudes, metallicities and abundances of resolved stars of the dwarf spheroidal and ultrafaint galaxies around the Milky Way, allowing their chemistry and stellar populations to be studied in great detail. Here we summarize our current understanding, which has advanced rapidly over the past decade owing to flourishing large-scale astrometric, photometric and spectroscopic surveys. We emphasize that the primeval stellar populations in ETDs provide a unique laboratory for studying the physical conditions on small scales at epochs beyond redshift z = 2. We also highlight the observed diversity of star-formation and chemical-enrichment histories in nearby dwarfs. These data cannot yet be fully deciphered to reveal the key processes in dwarf evolution, but the first successful attempts to pin down the sites of heavy-element production have been made.

Анализ антропологического материала из санитарного захоронения города Владимира XIII века

Introduction. The study of the population formation processes of the city of Vladimir, the capital of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, is an important task for archaeologists, historians, linguists and anthropologists. However, materials on the anthropology of the ancient Russian population of this city began appearing relatively recently. The purpose of this work is to publish and analyze data on the pre-Mongolian population of ancient Vladimir. Materials and methods. The work is based on craniological data obtained during the study of a sample from a 13th-century sanitary burial in the historical center of Vladimir. 43 adults of both sexes were studied. Demographic and craniological indicators, as well as skull injuries were analyzed to understand the circumstances of the appearance of a mass grave. Results. The studied complex is a one-time burial of a large number of individuals in the household utility basement of a ground building. The archaeological context of the sanitary burial allows us to confidently date it to the first half of the 13th century. It has been established that 58% of individuals have injuries to the skull bones, which either caused death or were inflicted shortly before death. A comparative statistical analysis involving craniological data from 24 synchronous samples revealed a great similarity of the male studied group with the Balts and Slavs of the Upper Dnieper region. At the same time, a strong difference from rural population of neighboring territories was found. Conclusions. The location and characteristics of the burial, as well as fatal injuries, indicate that the citizens died as a result of a military conflict. The traumatic injuries are similar in nature to those found during the study of other mass graves in ancient Russian cities. Comparative analyzes of craniological features make it possible to link the origin of this population group with the territory of the Upper Dnieper region, through which two waves of migration of Slavic settlers passed during first millennium AD. No influence of migrants from the territory of the Novgorod lands was found. Influence of the local Finnish component on the studied group is also absent.

Geographical contrasts of Y-chromosomal haplogroups from wild and domestic goats reveal ancient migrations and recent introgressions.

By their paternal transmission, Y-chromosomal haplotypes are sensitive markers of population history and male-mediated introgression. Previous studies identified biallelic single-nucleotide variants in the SRY, ZFY and DDX3Y genes, which in domestic goats identified four major Y-chromosomal haplotypes, Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2B, with a marked geographical partitioning. Here, we extracted goat Y-chromosomal variants from whole-genome sequences of 386 domestic goats (75 breeds) and seven wild goat species, which were generated by the VarGoats goat genome project. Phylogenetic analyses indicated domestic haplogroups corresponding to Y1B, Y2A and Y2B, respectively, whereas Y1A is split into Y1AA and Y1AB. All five haplogroups were detected in 26 ancient DNA samples from southeast Europe or Asia. Haplotypes from present-day bezoars are not shared with domestic goats and are attached to deep nodes of the trees and networks. Haplogroup distributions for 186 domestic breeds indicate ancient paternal population bottlenecks and expansions during migrations into northern Europe, eastern and southern Asia, and Africa south of the Sahara. In addition, sharing of haplogroups indicates male-mediated introgressions, most notably an early gene flow from Asian goats into Madagascar and the crossbreeding that in the 19th century resulted in the popular Boer and Anglo-Nubian breeds. More recent introgressions are those from European goats into the native Korean goat population and from Boer goat into Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zimbabwe. This study illustrates the power of the Y-chromosomal variants for reconstructing the history of domestic species with a wide geographical range.

Problems of Studying the Purpose of Disks with Concentric Ornament in Russian Archaeology

The article is devoted to a historiographical review of scientific works, which provides an analysis and purpose of disks with concentric ornament, common in the Urals and Siberia in the first half of the 1st millennium AD. The stages of the history of the study of bronze disks with concentric ornament with the definition of their purpose in a particular complex are distinguished and characterized. When describing each of the stages, the most significant works of the authors who worked during this period are given within the framework of the designated topic, the main ideas and concepts are highlighted. The author provides several points of view of researchers on the purpose of disks with concentric ornament. The first considers disks as elements of armor or armor. The second defines them as objects of ritual and religious practices. The third notes the purely aesthetic function of the discs as costume decorations. The fourth combines several interpretations about the place and role of these products in the life of the ancient population of Siberia, as well as the reflection of the idea of the calendar. As a result, it is concluded that currently there is no consensus about the purpose of disks with concentric ornament, and different researchers agree only that the local population of Siberia and the Urals used these imports differently.

Baltic Migrants in the Middle Dnipro Region: A Comparative Study of the Late Viking Age Archaeological Complex of Ostriv, Ukraine

THE LATE VIKING-AGE CEMETERY OF OSTRIV, located approximately 80 km south of Kyiv in the region along the Ros’ River, was discovered by the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine team in 2017. By 2020, 67 inhumation graves had been excavated in an area of 1400 sq m. Most of the artefacts from Ostriv are uncommon in Ukraine, but frequently found in the East Baltic region. This suggests a complex multi-ethnic population, presumably consisting of Baltic region migrants and local Slavs, and represents the easternmost example of its kind. Ostriv is a vivid example of how research on complex, multi-ethnic ancient populations benefits from multidisciplinary international collaborations. This article provides the first synthesis of the archaeological artefacts and burial rites from Ostriv, informed by the results of 14C-dating, stable isotopes, aDNA, physical anthropology and nondestructive metal analyses. It represents an important contribution to the renewed interest in early medieval migration, ethnic complexity and cultural encounters.

A Late Pleistocene human genome from Southwest China

Southern East Asia is the dispersal center regarding the prehistoric settlement and migrations of modern humans in Asia-Pacific regions. However, the settlement pattern and population structure of paleolithic humans in this region remain elusive, and ancient DNA can provide direct information. Here, we sequenced the genome of a Late Pleistocene hominin (MZR), dated ∼14.0 thousand years ago from Red Deer Cave located in Southwest China, which was previously reported possessing mosaic features of modern and archaic hominins. MZR is the first Late Pleistocene genome from southern East Asia. Our results indicate that MZR is a modern human who represents an early diversified lineage in East Asia. The mtDNA of MZR belongs to an extinct basal lineage of the M9 haplogroup, reflecting a rich matrilineal diversity in southern East Asia during the Late Pleistocene. Combined with the published data, we detected clear genetic stratification in ancient southern populations of East/Southeast Asia and some degree of south-versus-north divergency during the Late Pleistocene, and MZR was identified as a southern East Asian who exhibits genetic continuity to present day populations. Markedly, MZR is linked deeply to the East Asian ancestry that contributed to First Americans.

Occlusal plane parallel to camper plane: reality or fallacy? A tomographic study on human Sambaqui skeletal remains

Introduction: Since long time ago, dentists had used parallelism with Camper plane as a reference to establish a correct occlusal plane. However, in the literature, there are several different landmarks used to trace the occlusal plane and there are also many researchers questioning this parallelism. To evaluate it, we used ancient skulls from Human Sambaqui skeletal remains. The authors choose an ancient population because they were submitted to same environmental conditions, avoiding bias in craniofacial growth epigenetic stimuli. Methodology: For this work we analyzed tomographies of 27 well preserved adult skulls. The program used was Vista Dent Pro 2.1. Camper plane was determined according to the original points described by Peter Camper. We used the four occlusal planes more cited in the literature. Results: None of the occlusal planes evaluated on this study, showed parallelism with Camper plane. The occlusal plane determined by posterior teeth was the one that showed less divergence but still with a high SD and mediana. Conclusion: In Sambaqui ancient population, Camper plane was not a reliable reference to trace occlusal plane. It is necessary further investigations to find a better reference for prosthetic, orthodontic, functional orthopedics or orthognathic surgery purpose.

Uniparental Genetic Analyses Reveal Multi-Ethnic Background of Dunhuang Foyemiaowan Population (220–907 CE) With Typical Han Chinese Archaological Culture

The relationship between archeological culture and ethnicity is invariably complex. This is especially the case for periods of national division and rapid inter-ethnic exchange, such as China’s Sixteen Kingdoms (304–439 CE) and Northern and Southern Dynasties (420–589 CE). Going by tomb shape and grave goods, the Foyemiaowan cemetery at Dunhuang exhibits a typical third–tenth century Han style. Despite this, the ethnic makeup of the Foyemiaowan population has remained unclear. We therefore analyzed 485 Y-chromosomal SNPs and entire mitochondrial genomes of 34 Foyemiaowan samples. Our study yielded the following discoveries: (1) principal component analysis revealed that the Foyemiaowan population was closely clustered with Tibeto-Burman populations on the paternal side and close to Mongolic-speaking populations on the maternal side; (2) lineage comparisons at the individual level showed that the Foyemiaowan population consisted of primarily Tibeto-Burman and Han Chinese related lineages (Oα-M117, 25%;Oβ-F46, 18.75%), partially Altaic speaking North Eurasian lineages (N-F1206, 18.75%) and a slight admixture of southern East Asian lineages (O1b1a2-Page59, 6.25%; O1b1a1-PK4, 3.13%). Similarly, the maternal gene pool of Foyemiaowan contained northern East Asian (A, 4.17%; CZ, 16.67%; D, 20.83%; G, 4.17%; M9, 4.17%), southern East Asian (B, 12.51%; F, 20.83%) and western Eurasian (H, 4.17%; J, 4.17%) related lineages; (3) we discovered a relatively high genetic diversity among the Foyemiaowan population (0.891) in our ancient reference populations, indicating a complex history of population admixture. Archeological findings, stable isotope analysis and historical documents further corroborated our results. Although in this period China’s central government had relinquished control of the Hexi Corridor and regional non-Han regimes became the dominant regional power, Foyemiaowan’s inhabitants remained strongly influenced by Han culture.

The Initial Stage of the Establishment of the Orthodox Church in the European North-East

The Orthodox Church has played a major role in the history of many nations of the Russian state. Historians believe that the beginning of Christianization of the European North-East is dated to the second half of 14th century. Archaeological discoveries over the past 35 years have provided new data for researchers. The article deals with a collection consists of 11 Christian symbols obtained during the study of medieval settlements in the European north-east. All the artifacts have been dated to the 12–13th centuries. The publication defines the typological and chronological composition, provides analogies from the excavations of other archaeological sites in Russia. These findings indicate that the ancient population of the region was acquainted with Christian culture before the 14th century. The author suggests that Christianization of the region began together with Old Russian colonization in the early 12th century. The spread of items with Christian symbols and ideas of Christianity was associated with the inhabitants of settlements in the valleys of the Vym, Vychegda and Sysola Rivers. These settlements were founded by immigrants from the territory of Russia and became centres of population concentration.