Genetic study of the Paleolithic and Neolithic Southeast Asians

Area of Science:

• Paleogenetics
• Human Evolution
• Archaeology

Background:

• Investigating human migration and population continuity in Southeast Asia is crucial for understanding regional prehistory.
• The Malay Peninsula has yielded significant prehistoric human remains, offering insights into early inhabitants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze mitochondrial DNA from Paleolithic and Neolithic human remains from the Malay Peninsula.
• To reconstruct phylogenetic relationships between ancient and modern human populations in the region.
• To explore potential ancestral links between prehistoric groups and present-day indigenous peoples.

Main Methods:

• Extraction of DNA from six prehistoric human skeletal samples.
• Amplification and direct sequencing of mitochondrial DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
• Construction of a phylogenetic tree based on nucleotide sequence data.

Main Results:

• Mitochondrial DNA sequences were successfully obtained from Paleolithic and Neolithic remains.
• Phylogenetic analysis revealed genetic connections between ancient and modern human groups.
• Evidence suggests continuity between pre-Neolithic populations and the present-day Semang people.
• The study indicates that Neolithic humans in the area may be ancestral to the Senoi people.

Conclusions:

• Mitochondrial DNA data supports a genetic link between ancient and modern populations on the Malay Peninsula.
• The findings suggest a continuous human presence and potential ancestral lineage from pre-Neolithic to modern indigenous groups.
• Ethnoarchaeological evidence corroborates the genetic findings, reinforcing population continuity.