Buried in two places: Lineages from elite Maya tombs also found in distant caves
Ancestry Research Publication
Publication Details
Comprehensive information about this research publication
Abstract
Summary of the research findings
Classic Period Maya societies 250-900 CE carved out urban centers from the rainforest reaching population heights and political complexity previously unknown in the Mesoamerican tropics. Kinship was a central feature of the social fabric, and rulership was legitimized through claims of direct descent from mythical ancestors. Mortuary practices kept the dead close to the living, and ancestor veneration sometimes produced complex deposits of disarticulated remains that are difficult to identify and whose relationship to each other cannot be understood without genetic data. We screened 487 samples and successfully generated genome-wide data for 430 samples from at least 145 distinct individuals from an Early Classic Period kingdom 250-750 CE in the rugged Maya Mountains of Belize. Of these, 24 individuals have body parts in both an elite tomb, and in a ritual tooth cache in a distant cave on the other side of the Maya mountains. These results show elite lineages created ancestors from their deceased relatives in geographically expansive ways and highlights the importance of caves in the belief system of Classic Maya elites.
AI-Generated Summary
AI-generated by DNAGENICSIndependent AI summary of ancestry and genetic findings from the published study
Important: This summary is AI-generated by DNAGENICS for informational purposes only. It was not created by, affiliated with, or endorsed by the researchers behind the original publication, and is based solely on that published research. It may contain errors or omissions. DNAGENICS disclaims all liability for any inaccuracies or consequences arising from use of this information. Verify all information against the original publication. This is not professional scientific review or medical advice.
AI Summary In Progress
Our AI-generated summary of this publication is being prepared. Please check back soon.