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Molecular genetic analysis of Wanggu remains, Inner Mongolia, China
Yuqin Fu1, Han Zhao, Yinqiu Cui
1Ancient DNA Laboratory, Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|April 25, 2006
Summary
Genetic analysis of Wanggu tribe remains reveals a complex matriline with Asian and European admixture. This ancient Mongolian steppe population may share recent ancestry with Turkic-speaking Uzbeks and Uighurs.
Area of Science:
- Ancient DNA studies
- Population genetics
- Paleogenomics
Background:
- The Wanggu tribe played a key role in the Yuan Dynasty and inhabited the Mongolian steppes during the Jin-Yuan period.
- The precise origins of the Wanggu tribe have been a subject of historical and archaeological debate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic structure of the Wanggu tribe using ancient human remains.
- To determine the ancestral origins of the Wanggu tribe at a molecular level.
Main Methods:
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control-region and coding-region sequences were analyzed from Wanggu remains.
- Direct sequencing and restriction-fragment length polymorphism analysis were employed.
- Phylogenetic and multidimensional scaling analyses were conducted using extant Eurasian population data.
Main Results:
- The Wanggu tribe exhibited a complex matrilineal genetic structure.
- Evidence of admixture from both Asian and European populations was found within the Wanggu tribe.
- mtDNA data suggests a potential recent common ancestor with modern Turkic-speaking Uzbeks and Uighurs.
Conclusions:
- The genetic makeup of the Jin-Yuan period Wanggu tribe was admixed, reflecting diverse ancestral contributions.
- Ancient DNA analysis provides insights into the population dynamics and origins of groups associated with the Yuan Dynasty.
- The findings contribute to understanding the peopling of the Eurasian steppes and the genetic landscape of Central Asian populations.
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