title: Genetic diversity of a late prehispanic group of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, northwestern Argentina.
abstract: This palaeogenetic study focused on the analysis of a late prehispanic Argentinean group from the Humahuaca valley, with the main aim of reconstructing its (micro)evolutionary history. The Humahuaca valley, a natural passageway from the eastern plains to the highlands, was the living environment of Andean societies whose cultural but especially biological diversity is still poorly understood. We analyzed the DNA extracted from 39 individuals who populated this upper valley during the Regional Development period (RDP) (between the 11th and 15th centuries CE), to determine their maternal and paternal genetic ancestry. Some mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal haplotypes specific to the Andean region are consistent with an origin in the highlands of Central Andes. On the other hand, a significant genetic affinity with contemporary admixed communities of the Chaco area was detected. Expectedly, recent demographic events, such as the expansion of the Inca Empire or the European colonization, have changed the original mitochondrial gene pool of the ancient Humahuaca Valley community. Finally, we identified a particular geographical organization of the prehispanic populations of Northwestern Argentina. Our results suggest that the communities of the region were divided between two different spheres of interaction, which is consistent with assumptions made by means of craniometric traits.
authors: Institut de Médecine Légale, AMIS, CNRS UMR 5288, Université de Strasbourg, F-67085, Strasbourg, France; Université Paul Sabatier, AMIS, CNRS UMR 5288, F-31073, Toulouse, France.
authors: Fanny
authors: F
authors: Mendisco
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Keyser
authors: Veronica
authors: V
authors: Seldes
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Rivolta
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: Mercolli
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: Cruz
authors: Axel E
authors: AE
authors: Nielsen
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Crubezy
authors: Bertrand
authors: B
authors: Ludes
mesh_terms: D001106:Archaeology / Q000379:methods; D001118:Argentina; D001483:Base Sequence; D005075:Biological Evolution; D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y / Q000235:genetics*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D005580:Fossils; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006239:Haplotypes / Q000235:genetics; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
keywords: Andes; Palaeogenetics; Y-chromosome; ancient DNA; microevolution; migration; mitochondrial DNA