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Ancient DNA from 22 Yuan-Ming era individuals in Guizhou reveals a homogeneous, admixed population with female dominance and conflict-related deaths.
This study analyzed ancient DNA from 22 people found in a karst cave in southern Guizhou, dating to the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties (about 575-685 years ago). Genetically, they were surprisingly uniform, mixing ancient northern and southern East Asian ancestries, yet distinct from neighboring groups. They lived in family units and were mostly female. One individual carried Salmonella enterica DNA, but no others did, suggesting the group died together from conflict, not an epidemic.
- The population was genetically homogeneous with a mix of ancient northern and southern East Asian ancestry, contributing to present-day Southwest China ethnolinguistic groups.
- Kinship analysis shows the group consisted of several family units and was dominated by females.
- Salmonella enterica DNA was found in only one individual, and combined with historical records, points to collective death from conflict rather than a widespread epidemic.
Sample interpretation
The study recovered 22 individuals from a single site, Pingtang Cave in Qiannan, Guizhou. Y-chromosome haplogroups were resolved for 6 males, including O-M111 (2), O-F2758, O-Z24083, O-F2320, and N-F1101. Mitochondrial DNA was more diverse, with M7b1a1a2 (4), D6 (2), M76a (2), C7a (2), M7b1a1h (2), and B4m (1). This suggests high maternal diversity but strong paternal clustering, consistent with a patrilocal or female-dominated community.
For genealogy enthusiasts
For ancestry enthusiasts, this study shows how ancient DNA can reveal the genetic makeup and social structure of a historical population in Southwest China. It highlights the deep roots of ethnolinguistic diversity and the importance of local family groups in shaping modern populations.
Abstract
The Yun-Gui (Yunnan and Guizhou) Plateau of Southwest China has long been characterized by long-standing ethnolinguistic diversity shaped by complex demographic history. Although numerous groups belonging to distinct language families have inhabited the region over recent centuries, the nature and extent of their interactions remain poorly understood. At a natural karst cave located in a multiethnic area of southern Guizhou, archaeologists uncovered scattered skeletal remains of several dozen individuals dated to the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties (575–685 cal BP). The genetic origins of these individuals and the context of their deaths were previously unknown. Here, we present genome-wide ancient DNA analysis from 22 individuals recovered from the cave. The results reveal a strikingly genetically homogeneous population, exhibiting admixed ancient northern and southern East Asian ancestry, yet showing clear genetic differentiation from contemporaneous neighboring groups. This ancestry profile represents a genetic component that contributed to present-day ethnolinguistic groups in Southwest China. Genetic kinship analyses indicate that the group comprised several family units and was dominated by females. Furthermore, we detected authentic Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) DNA in one individual, supported by high sequence similarity to reference genomes of serovars S. Choleraesuis and S. Paratyphi C, along with characteristic ancient DNA damage patterns. No similar pathogen DNA was identified in other individuals. Integrating genomic evidence with historical records, we infer that these individuals most likely represent collective mortality associated with conflict rather than a widespread epidemic.