NCJ Number
248160
Journal
Forensic Science International Genetics Volume: 12 Dated: September 2014 Pages: 199-207
Date Published
September 2014
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The Altai Mountains have long been a boundary zone between the Eurasian Steppe populations and South and East Asian populations; the current study examined some of the historical population movements in this area by typing DNA for 14 ancient human specimens excavated in the westernmost part of the Mongolian Altai.
Abstract
The study findings revealed mixed phenotypes among this group, confirming the probable admixed ancestry of the studied Altaian population in the Middle Bronze Age. This successful obtaining of information from ancient DNA samples suggests that it might be applicable for forensic casework as well. Thirteen of the 14 ancient human specimens were dated from the Middle to the End of the Bronze Age. One was dated to the Eneolithic period. Environmental conditions in this region favored the good preservation of DNA in the human remains. A multi-markers approach was used for the genetic analysis of identity, ancestry, and phenotype markers. Mitochondrial DNA analyses revealed that the ancient Altaians studied carried both Western (H, U,T) and Eastern (A,C, D,) Eurasian lineages. In the same way, the patrilinial gene pool revealed the presence of different haplogouprs (Q1a2a1-454, R1a1a1b2-Z93 and C ), probably marking different origins for the male paternal lineages. Phenotypical characteristics (hair and eye color) were determined. This was achieved by adapting the HirisPlex assay recently described to MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. 1 table, 3 figures, and 41 references