Long-term genetic stability and a high-altitude East Asian origin for the peoples of the high valleys of the Himalayan arc
Jeong C, Ozga AT, Witonsky DB et al.
Publication Details
Comprehensive information about this research publication
Abstract
Summary of the research findings
The high-altitude transverse valleys [>3,000 m above sea level (masl)] of the Himalayan arc from Arunachal Pradesh to Ladahk were among the last habitable places permanently colonized by prehistoric humans due to the challenges of resource scarcity, cold stress, and hypoxia. The modern populations of these valleys, who share cultural and linguistic affinities with peoples found today on the Tibetan plateau, are commonly assumed to be the descendants of the earliest inhabitants of the Himalayan arc. However, this assumption has been challenged by archaeological and osteological evidence suggesting that these valleys may have been originally populated from areas other than the Tibetan plateau, including those at low elevation. To investigate the peopling and early population history of this dynamic high-altitude contact zone, we sequenced the genomes (0.04×-7.25×, mean 2.16×) and mitochondrial genomes (20.8×-1,311.0×, mean 482.1×) of eight individuals dating to three periods with distinct material culture in the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) of Nepal, spanning 3,150-1,250 y before present (yBP). We demonstrate that the region is characterized by long-term stability of the population genetic make-up despite marked changes in material culture. The ancient genomes, uniparental haplotypes, and high-altitude adaptive alleles suggest a high-altitude East Asian origin for prehistoric Himalayan populations.
Ancient DNA Samples
16 ancient DNA samples referenced in this publication
| Sample ID | Date/Era | Country | Locality | Sex | mtDNA | Y-DNA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M240 | 450 BCE | Nepal | Mebrak Tomb. Nepal | M | M9a1a2 |
O-M134 |
| M344 | 450 BCE | Nepal | Mebrak Tomb. Nepal | M | Z3a1a |
O-M134 |
| S40 | 200 CE | Nepal | Samdzong Tomb. Nepal | F | F1c1a1a |
|
| C1 | 1200 BCE | Nepal | Chokhopani Tomb. Nepal | M | D4j1b |
O-CTS5308 |
| M63 | 450 BCE | Nepal | Mebrak Tomb. Nepal | M | M9a1a1c1b1a |
O-CTS4658 |
| S10 | 200 CE | Nepal | Samdzong Tomb. Nepal | M | M9a1a1c1b1a |
O-CTS4658 |
| S35 | 200 CE | Nepal | Samdzong Tomb. Nepal | M | M9a1a |
O-CTS4658 |
| S41 | 200 CE | Nepal | Samdzong Tomb. Nepal | M | F1d |
D-BY12975 |
| C1 | 1200 BCE | Nepal | Chokhopani Tomb. Nepal | M | D4j1b |
O-M117 |
| M240 | 450 BCE | Nepal | Mebrak Tomb. Nepal | M | M9a1a2 |
O-M134 |
| M63 | 450 BCE | Nepal | Mebrak Tomb. Nepal | M | M9a1a1c1b1a |
O-CTS4658 |
| M344 | 450 BCE | Nepal | Mebrak Tomb. Nepal | M | Z3a1a |
O-M134 |
| S35 | 200 CE | Nepal | Samdzong Tomb. Nepal | M | M9a1a |
O-CTS4658 |
| S10 | 200 CE | Nepal | Samdzong Tomb. Nepal | M | M9a1a1c1b1a |
O-CTS4658 |
| S41 | 200 CE | Nepal | Samdzong Tomb. Nepal | M | F1d |
D-BY12975 |
| S40 | 200 CE | Nepal | Samdzong Tomb. Nepal | F | F1c1a1a |
|
Analysis
Comprehensive review of ancestry and genetic findings
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