Genetic analysis of a Scytho-Siberian skeleton and its implications for ancient Central Asian migrations

Hum Biol. 2004 Feb;76(1):109-25. doi: 10.1353/hub.2004.0025.

Abstract

The excavation of a frozen grave on the Kizil site (dated to be 2500 years old) in the Altai Republic (Central Asia) revealed a skeleton belonging to the Scytho-Siberian population. DNA was extracted from a bone sample and analyzed by autosomal STRs (short tandem repeats) and by sequencing the hypervariable region I (HV1) of the mitochondrial DNA. The resulting STR profile, mitochondrial haplotype, and haplogroup were compared with data from modern Eurasian and northern native American populations and were found only in European populations historically influenced by ancient nomadic tribes of Central Asia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asia
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / analysis*
  • Databases, Nucleic Acid
  • Demography
  • Emigration and Immigration*
  • Forensic Anthropology*
  • Fossils
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genetics, Population*
  • Haplotypes / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Paleontology
  • Phylogeny
  • Siberia
  • Skeleton
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • Genetic Markers