Population dynamics in Iron Age Xinjiang inferred from ancient genomes of the Zhagunluke site

AI interpretationAI-generated

Iron Age Xinjiang genomes reveal East-West admixture and northern farmer migration.

Researchers sequenced two ancient individuals from the Zhagunluke cemetery in southern Xinjiang, dating to the Iron Age. By comparing with published ancient genomes, they found that Zhagunluke people had mixed East and West Eurasian ancestry, but with varying proportions. One individual was a genetic outlier with main ancestry linked to millet farmers from the Yellow River or West Liao River basins, suggesting migration from northern China. These results show that population interactions strongly shaped the genetic makeup of the Zhagunluke people.

• Zhagunluke individuals show East-West mixed ancestry with different proportions, matching the site's diverse cultural elements.
• One genetic outlier carries mainly ancestry related to millet farmers from the Yellow River or West Liao River, indicating migration from northern China into southern Xinjiang.
• Population interactions significantly influenced the genetic profile of the Zhagunluke population.

Sample interpretation

The study reports two ancient genomes from the Zhagunluke I cemetery. One Y-chromosome lineage was resolved as R-M12298, and mitochondrial lineages were D4j and H2b. The cultural context is Zhagunluke culture (n=1). These limited samples already reveal both East and West Eurasian maternal and paternal lineages, plus an outlier with northern Chinese farmer ancestry.

For genealogy enthusiasts

For ancestry enthusiasts, this study shows that Iron Age southern Xinjiang was a dynamic contact zone. It highlights how ancient DNA can trace both admixture and specific migration events, like the movement of northern Chinese farmers into the region.