Acta Anthropologica Sinica ›› 2020, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (03): 435-449.doi: 10.16359/j.cnki.cn11-1963/q.2020.0009

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Craniometric evidence and ancient DNA analysis of the population origin of Ngari prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region between 3rd and 4th century AD

ZHANG Yajun1(), ZHANG Xu1, ZHAO Xin1, TONG Tao1, LI Linhui2   

  1. 1. Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing 100710
    2. Cultural Relics Conservation Institute of Tibet Autonomous Region, Tianhai Road 24, Lhasa 850000
  • Received:2020-03-01 Revised:2020-06-24 Online:2020-08-15 Published:2020-08-31

Abstract:

Gurugyam cemetery, located in the Gar County of Ngari Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region, was excavated in 2012 and 2014 by the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Institute of Cultural Heritage Protection of Tibet Autonomous Region expedition. Pre-Imperial Tibet component of Gurugyam cemetery has eight burials dated from 3rd to 4th century AD from which 32 individuals were unearthed. The primary sample used in the craniometric analysis is comprised of 16 well-preserved adult crania(male, n=7; female, n=9). The result of cluster analysis shows that the ancient population of Kashacuo in Sichuan was the first one that assigned to the Gurugyam sample. Additionally, the Gurugyam sample is more similar to ancient populations of Duogang and Chawuhu, Xinjiang than to other clusters of ancient populations sampled from Shannxi, Shanxi, and Henan. When compared to other modern groups, Gurugyam sample is clustered with Guangxi Zhuang people and Tibetan A type population. Mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals some genetic divergence among the Gurugyam sample, denoting a geographic pattern of genetic variation with maternal lineages mainly from the east of Eurasia and partially from the west of Eurasia. Divergence within the Gurugyam sample has contributed to the maternal gene pool of modern Tibetan and other ethnic groups in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Key words: Tibet, Gurugyam cemetery, Human skeleton remains, Ancient DNA

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