The genetic prehistory of the New World Arctic
Raghavan M, DeGiorgio M, Albrechtsen A et al.
Publication Details
Comprehensive information about this research publication
Abstract
Summary of the research findings
The New World Arctic, the last region of the Americas to be populated by humans, has a relatively well-researched archaeology, but an understanding of its genetic history is lacking. We present genome-wide sequence data from ancient and present-day humans from Greenland, Arctic Canada, Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and Siberia. We show that Paleo-Eskimos (~3000 BCE to 1300 CE) represent a migration pulse into the Americas independent of both Native American and Inuit expansions. Furthermore, the genetic continuity characterizing the Paleo-Eskimo period was interrupted by the arrival of a new population, representing the ancestors of present-day Inuit, with evidence of past gene flow between these lineages. Despite periodic abandonment of major Arctic regions, a single Paleo-Eskimo metapopulation likely survived in near-isolation for more than 4000 years, only to vanish around 700 years ago.
Ancient DNA Samples
8 ancient DNA samples referenced in this publication
| Sample ID | Date/Era | Country | Locality | Sex | mtDNA | Y-DNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LateDorset-XIV-H_126 | 800 CE | Canada | Truelove Lowland. North Devon Island | M | |
Q-Z36017 |
| MARC1491 | 1 CE | Canada | Newfoundland. Englee | M | |
Q-B143 |
| MARC481 | 1 CE | Canada | Newfoundland. Port aux Choix | M | |
F-M89 |
| XIV_C_748 | 1100 CE | Canada | Southampton Island. Nunavut | M | |
Q-Z36017 |
| LateDorset-XIV-H_126 | 800 CE | Canada | Truelove Lowland. North Devon Island | M | |
Q-Z36017 |
| MARC1491 | 1 CE | Canada | Newfoundland. Englee | M | |
Q-B143 |
| MARC481 | 1 CE | Canada | Newfoundland. Port aux Choix | M | |
F-M89 |
| XIV_C_748 | 1100 CE | Canada | Southampton Island. Nunavut | M | |
Q-Z36017 |
Analysis
Comprehensive review of ancestry and genetic findings
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