| 描述信息 |
The western and eastern expanses of Eurasia are intricately connected through the vast steppe zone in Central Asia, facilitating the longest transcontinental dissemination of genes, crops, and technologies. However, the population history along the pivotal migration route between Central and East Asia remains inadequately elucidated. Through the analysis of 69 ancient genomes from the East Tianshan Mountains, situated at the nexus of Central and East Asia, we have unveiled at least four instances of landmass admixture events that transpired in this region. Notably, we have identified a hitherto uncharacterized admixture event, establishing a connection between steppe pastoralists and East Asian millet farming communities, while also preserving traces of the local 'Tarim Mummy' ancestry during the historical era. It is noteworthy that Iranian-related ancestry made its ingress into eastern Xinjiang approximately 300 years prior to the advent of Afanasievo ancestry, underscoring the significance of the Inner Asian Mountain Corridor as an ancient exchange route. Sintashta-related ancestry manifested in this region around 2800 BP, yet Afanasievo heritage persisted as predominant until the Late Iron Age, establishing a robust link to the presence of Tocharian languages in Xinjiang. Our findings posit extensive landmass exchanges integral to cultural, subsistence, and population admixtures, transpiring approximately 1800 years preceding the formal commencement of the historical Silk Road. |
