Low Mitochondrial DNA Diversity in an Ancient Population from China: Insight into Social Organization at the Fujia Site

Yu Dong; Chunxiang Li; Fengshi Luan; Zhenguang Li; Hongjie Li; Yinqiu Cui; Hui Zhou; Ripan S. Malhi

doi:10.13110/humanbiology.87.1.0071

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1 January 2015 Low Mitochondrial DNA Diversity in an Ancient Population from China: Insight into Social Organization at the Fujia Site

Yu Dong, Chunxiang Li, Fengshi Luan, Zhenguang Li, Hongjie Li, Yinqiu Cui, Hui Zhou, Ripan S. Malhi

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Human Biology, 87(1):71-84 (2015). https://doi.org/10.13110/humanbiology.87.1.0071

Abstract

To gain insight into the social organization of a population associated with the Dawenkou period, we performed ancient DNA analysis of 18 individuals from human remains from the Fujia site in Shandong Province, China. Directly radiocarbon dated to 4800–4500 cal BP, the Fujia site is assumed to be associated with a transitional phase from matrilineal clans to patrilineal monogamous families. Our results reveal a low mitochondrial DNA diversity from the site and population. Combined with Y chromosome data, the pattern observed at the Fujia site is most consistent with a matrilineal community. The patterns also suggest that the bond of marriage was de-emphasized compared with the bonds of descent at Fujia.

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Yu Dong, Chunxiang Li, Fengshi Luan, Zhenguang Li, Hongjie Li, Yinqiu Cui, Hui Zhou, and Ripan S. Malhi "Low Mitochondrial DNA Diversity in an Ancient Population from China: Insight into Social Organization at the Fujia Site," Human Biology 87(1), 71-84, (1 January 2015). https://doi.org/10.13110/humanbiology.87.1.0071

Received: 2 November 2013; Accepted: 1 July 2015; Published: 1 January 2015

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