Genetic Structure Analysis of Human Remains from Khitan Noble Necropolis

Ancient DNA was extracted from 13 skeletal remains from the burial groups of Khitan nobles, which were excavated in northeast China. The hypervariable segment Ⅰ sequences （ HVS Ⅰ ） of the mitochondrial DNA control region, in the 13 individuals, were used as genetic markers to determine the genetic relationships between the individuals and the genetic affinity to other interrelated populations by using the known database of mtDNA. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of these ancient DNA sequences, the genetic structures of two Khitan noble kindreds were obtained, including the Yel Yuzhi＇s kindred and the Xiao He＇s kindred. Furthermore, the relationships between the Khitan nobles and some modern interrelated populations were analyzed. On the basis of the result of the analysis, the gene flows of the ancient Khitans and their demographic expansion in history was deduced.

Phylogenetic Analysis of mtDNA from the Ancient Human of Yuan Dynasty in Inner Mongolia in China

A study of the genetic structure of an ancient human excavated from the Yikeshu site of Yuanshangdu ancient city in Inner Mongolia and the relationships between the ancient population and the extant populations was carried out. Sequences of the control region and coding region of mtDNA from the ancient human were analyzed by using direct sequencing and restriction-fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） methods, Phylogenetic analysis and multidimensional scaling analysis were also performed on the mtDNA data of the ancient population and 12 extant populations. These results show that the ancient individuals of Yikeshu site can be assigned to D, G, B and Z haplogroups that are prevalent in Duars and Mongolians from Inner Mongolia. The ancient population is also closer to Duar and Mongolian populations in genetic distance than other compared populations. This study reveals that the ancient population from Yikeshu site in the Yuan Dynasty shares a common ancestor with Mongolic-speaking Daur and Mongolian tribes.

Ancient genomes reveal the genetic inheritance and recent introgression in Chinese indigenous pigs

Dear Editor,As one of the oldest domesticated livestock, pigs were independently domesticated in the Near East and East Asia,approximately 10,000 years ago (Larson et al., 2010).

The size variation and related implications of mandibles in northern China in the past 7000 years

To better understand variation of Holocene Chinese mandiblular morphology, a study was conducted on 23 metric traits of Neolithic (n=54), Bronze-Iron Ages (n=184) and modern (n=92) adult male mandibles from northern China. Results indicate that the linear characters of these Chinese mandibles evolved in the past 7000 years. From the Neolithic to Bronze-Iron Ages to present day, the overall size of mandibles decreased. The linear characters of the mandiblular features varied between different time periods. The decrease of thickness and height of the mandibular corpus primarily occurred during the Neolithic to Bronze-Iron Ages. The decrease in main size was during the Bronze-Iron Ages to present day. It is possible that mandibles became thinner before the overall size decreased. Comparisons also indicate that the bottom part of the face may have decreased more greatly in breadth than the upper portion. The decrease in mandible size may be associated with changes in climate and diet, and with changes in the craniums size.

Craniofacial morphological microevolution of Holocene populations in northern China

In order to better understand microevolutionary processes in Holocene Chinese craniofacial mor- phology, an analysis has been done on 21 metric traits on Neolithic (n=161), Bronze Age (n=423) and modern (n=134) adult male skulls from northern China. The results indicate that the physical characters of these Chinese populations evolved throughout the Holocene. From the Neolithic to Bronze Age to present day, general trends include: cranial and facial sizes decrease; the nose gets narrower and longer; the orbits become narrower and higher; the head is more globular. The expression of the cranial features varies between the different time periods. The decrease in cranial size primarily occurred from the Bronze Age to present day. However, the decrease in facial size, the narrowing of the nose, and the elevation of the orbits took place throughout the Holocene. These traits are likely still evolving. This evolving pattern of the cranial features for the Holocene Chinese populations is similar to that found elsewhere in the world. The decrease in overall craniofacial size is associated with changes in climate and diet. In addition, it is possible that the craniofacial morphological microevolution is controlled by human evolutionary mechanisms.

Zooarchaeological perspective on the Broad Spectrum Revolution in the Pleistocene-Holocene transitional period,with evidence from Shuidonggou Locality 12,China

Based on optimal foraging theory,prey animals from the Shuidonggou Locality 12(SDG12) are divided into three types according to body size and defense traits:high-ranked large game,low-ranked slow small game,and low-ranked fast small game.Application of the Reciprocal of Simpson's Index to the three types of animals from SDG12 yields a relatively high level of evenness,which implies a broader meat diet of the SDG12 hominids.Compared to values of taxonomic evenness from Mediterranean sites,it is suggested that this dietary expansion probably resulted from the occurrence of the Broad Spectrum Revolution rather than from climatic changes in the Shuidonggou area.Comparative studies between the Natufian phases in Hayonim Cave and the SDG12 validate this argument.

Latitudinal and climatic distributions of 3D craniofacial features among Holocene populations

The geographical and climatic patterning in craniofacial morphology among recent hominids has been regarded as relatively reliable evidence of environmental adaptation and natural selection,which is largely attributed to thermoregulation.However,the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on craniofacial features is unclear.Our study employed 3D laser scanning techniques to evaluate the association between geographical(latitude),climatic(annual temperature)factors,and 3D craniofacial measurements in 18 recent populations through bivariate correlation analysis.Significant correlations were found among braincase surface area,zygomatic bone surface area,cranial-facial index(facial surface area relative to braincase surface area)and local temperature,and a clear latitudinal gradient was also found in variation of braincase surface area.No significant correlations were found between zygomatic bone surface area,cranial-facial index and latitude.Our analysis supports the idea that the braincase functions as a radiator and is closely related to direct sunlight.We also suggest that absolute/relative craniofacial surface area varies consistently with predictions derived from Bergmann’s Rule.The mosaic craniofacial traits of American Indians may reflect retention of cold-derived,ancestral features,as well as a response to a slightly warmer climate.Because different craniofacial regions preserve environmental/genetic signatures differentially,caution is suggested when craniofacial anatomy is used for phylogenetic reconstruction and functional-morphological analysis.

Ancient Y-DNA with reconstructed phylogeny provides insights into the demographic history of paternal haplogroup N1a2-F1360

Northern Eurasia (nEA) has been considered crucial for the dispersal of the anatomically modern human (AMH) in recent studies.After the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM),ancient populations from different locations were redistributed throughout the region (Sikora et al.,2019;Yu et al.,2020;Kílínc et al.,2021;Mao et al.,2021).It is suggested that the emergence of many diverse ethnolinguistic groups.

Analysis of the matrilineal genetic structure of population in the early Iron Age from Tarim Basin,Xinjiang,China

Ancient mtDNA data of human remains were analyzed from four early Iron Age Tarim Basin sites (Yuansha, Zaghunluq, Sampula and Niya) in the southern Silk Road region. Haplogroup distributions show that ancient Tarim Basin population was comprised of well-differentiated Western and Eastern matrilineal lineages. Some West lineage of Tarim Basin population originated from Near East and Iran region. Of the East lineages, North and Northeast Asia originated lineages were the main components, and a few Southeast Asian lineages also existed, which indicated a more extensive origin and a more complex admixture. The genetic structure of ancient Tarim Basin population is relatively close to the modern populations of Xinjiang, which implied that the early Iron Age is an important period during the formation of the modern Xinjiang population.

Molecular genetic analysis of Dongzhou-period ancient human of Helingeer in Inner Mongolia,China

The mtDNA hypervariable region I(HVR-I)of 10 ancient individuals from Dongzhou-period ancient human populations in Helingeer county of Inner Mongolia were amplified and sequenced to investigate the genetic structure.The relationships between the ancient population and related extant populations,as well as its possible origin at the molecular level,were also studied.Moreover,phylogenetic analysis and multi-dimensional scaling analysis were also performed based on the mtDNA data of the ancient population in Helingeer and the related Eurasian population.The results showed that the ancient population in Helingeer were closer to the northern Asian populations than to the other compared populations in matrilineal lineage.Combining the research results of archaeology and anthropology as well as molecular biology,we inferred that they were nomads who migrated from Mongolia plateau and cis-Baikal region to Helingeer in Inner Mongolia,China.