Ancient genomes of inland northern East Asia

AI interpretationAI-generated

Eight ancient genomes from northern China trace Holocene-era lineages.

Researchers sequenced whole genomes from eight individuals found at key archaeological sites in northern China, spanning the start of the Holocene. All eight are linked to Early Neolithic cultures. On the paternal side, five samples yielded Y-chromosome results, all falling under haplogroup N, with N-CTS6128 and N-Y3059 each appearing twice. Maternal lineages are more diverse, including M8a, G4, A-a1, D4h1, R11, and B4c1a. This gives a direct genetic snapshot of early northern East Asians.

• All eight individuals belong to Early Neolithic cultures in northern China.
• Five Y-chromosome samples are all haplogroup N, with N-CTS6128 and N-Y3059 each found twice.
• Mitochondrial DNA is diverse, with six different lineages among the eight samples.

Sample interpretation

The study reports eight ancient individuals from northern China, covering the beginning of the Holocene. Y-chromosome data were resolved for five of them: two carry N-CTS6128, two carry N-Y3059, and one carries N-M46. The remaining three did not yield Y results. On the maternal side, six mitochondrial haplogroups appear: M8a, G4, A-a1, D4h1, R11, and B4c1a. No specific site names are listed in the provided summary.

For genealogy enthusiasts

For ancestry enthusiasts, this confirms that haplogroup N was already present in Early Neolithic northern China. It also shows high maternal diversity, so early northern East Asian communities were not genetically uniform on the female side.