Neolithic genomes reveal long distance interactions in agropastoral border zone of Yan Mountain Region

AI interpretationAI-generated

Yan Mountain Neolithic genomes trace steppe-farmer mixing before herding.

This study sequenced 42 ancient genomes from the Yan Mountain Region, a border zone between the Mongolian Plateau and northern China. Early Neolithic groups there, such as Yumin and Sitaimengguying, were genetically linked to Early Neolithic Lake Baikal groups, matching similar burial customs. Later Neolithic Jiangjialiang individuals from the Xiaoheyan culture were mixed, combining Sitaimengguying-related ancestry with Yellow River farmers. This fills a sampling gap between Hongshan and Lower Xiajiadian cultures and shows pre-pastoralist contact between steppe and Chinese farming societies.

• Early Neolithic Yan Mountain groups (Yumin and STM_EN) genetically link to Early Neolithic Lake Baikal groups, supported by similar burial practices.
• Late Neolithic Jiangjialiang (Xiaoheyan culture) individuals were genetically heterogeneous, reflecting admixture between STM_EN-related groups and Yellow River farmers.
• The study fills an ancient genome sampling gap between the Hongshan and Lower Xiajiadian cultures and supports pre-pastoralist steppe-farmer contact.

Sample interpretation

The site sample count is 54, with 42 Y-chromosome lineages resolved. All 54 samples are from the Jiangjialiang Xiaoheyan culture site. The top Y haplogroups are N-Y125681 (8), N-Y125668 (6), N (4), N-F1206 (4), N-Y125672 (4), N-F4063 (4), N-M1819 (2), and C-TYT153385 (2). No mitochondrial top lineages are listed. This suggests a predominantly N-rich paternal profile at this Xiaoheyan site.

For genealogy enthusiasts

For ancestry enthusiasts, this shows the Yan Mountain Region as a key contact zone where steppe and Yellow River farmer ancestries mixed before pastoralism. It highlights N-lineage diversity in Xiaoheyan culture and helps place your ancient DNA matches in a broader East Asian interaction network.