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A 6000-year-long genomic transect from the Bogot Altiplano reveals multiple genetic shifts in the demographic history o
A 6000-year-long genomic transect from the Bogotá Altiplano reveals multiple genetic shifts in the demographic history of Colombiahttps://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads6284?ref=404media.co
Abstract
Genetic studies on Native American populations have transformed our understanding of the demographic history of the Americas. However, a region that has not been investigated through ancient genomics so far is Colombia, the entry point into South America. Here, we report genome-wide data of 21 individuals from the Bogotá Altiplano in Colombia between 6000 and 500 years ago. We reveal that preceramic hunter-gatherers represent a previously unknown basal lineage that derives from the initial South American radiation. These hunter-gatherers do not carry differential affinity to ancient North American groups nor contribute genetically to ancient or present-day South American populations. By 2000 years ago, the local genetic ancestry is replaced by populations from Central America associated with the Herrera ceramic complex and survives through the Muisca period despite major cultural changes. These ancient Altiplano individuals show higher affinities to Chibchan speakers from the Isthmus of Panama than to Indigenous Colombians, suggesting a dilution of the Chibchan-related ancestry through subsequent dispersal events.
Genetic studies on Native American populations have transformed our understanding of the demographic history of the Americas. However, a region that has not been investigated through ancient genomics so far is Colombia, the entry point into South America. Here, we report genome-wide data of 21 individuals from the Bogotá Altiplano in Colombia between 6000 and 500 years ago. We reveal that preceramic hunter-gatherers represent a previously unknown basal lineage that derives from the initial South American radiation. These hunter-gatherers do not carry differential affinity to ancient North American groups nor contribute genetically to ancient or present-day South American populations. By 2000 years ago, the local genetic ancestry is replaced by populations from Central America associated with the Herrera ceramic complex and survives through the Muisca period despite major cultural changes. These ancient Altiplano individuals show higher affinities to Chibchan speakers from the Isthmus of Panama than to Indigenous Colombians, suggesting a dilution of the Chibchan-related ancestry through subsequent dispersal events.
Uncovered via 404Media: https://www.404media.co/scientists-just-discovered-a-lost-ancient-culture-that-vanished/?ref=the-abstract-newsletter
Ancient DNA from the remains of 21 individuals exposed a lost Indigenous culture that lived in Colombia’s Bogotá Altiplano in Colombia for millennia, before vanishing around 2,000 years ago.
These hunter-gatherers were not closely related to either ancient North American groups or ancient or present-day South American populations, and therefore “represent a previously unknown basal lineage,” according to researchers led by Kim-Lousie Krettek of the University of Tübingen. In other words, this newly discovered population is an early branch of the broader family tree that ultimately dispersed into South America.
“Ancient genomic data from neighboring areas along the Northern Andes that have not yet been analyzed through ancient genomics, such as western Colombia, western Venezuela, and Ecuador, will be pivotal to better define the timing and ancestry sources of human migrations into South America,” the team said.
These hunter-gatherers were not closely related to either ancient North American groups or ancient or present-day South American populations, and therefore “represent a previously unknown basal lineage,” according to researchers led by Kim-Lousie Krettek of the University of Tübingen. In other words, this newly discovered population is an early branch of the broader family tree that ultimately dispersed into South America.
“Ancient genomic data from neighboring areas along the Northern Andes that have not yet been analyzed through ancient genomics, such as western Colombia, western Venezuela, and Ecuador, will be pivotal to better define the timing and ancestry sources of human migrations into South America,” the team said.