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Southeast Asia is one of the most genetically diverse regions of the world, but for more than 100 years, scientists have disagreed on the theory of the origin of the population of the region.
According to one theory, Hutu indigenous hunter-gatherers who inhabited Southeast Asia 44,000 years ago adopted independent agricultural practices, without the input of the first farmers of Asia from the East. Another theory, called the "two layer model", supports the idea that migratory rice farmers in present-day China have replaced the indigenous hunter-gatherers of Hòabìnhian.
Academics from around the world collaborated on new research published in Science which found that no theory is completely accurate. Their study found that current populations in Southeast Asia originate from at least four ancient populations.
The DNA of the human skeletons of Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos and Japan dates back to 8000 years was extracted for study – scientists Previously, only 4,000-year-old samples from the region had been sequenced. The samples also included the DNA of Hòabìnhian hunter-gatherers and a Japanese Jomon, a first scientist revealing a suspicious genetic link between the two populations.
A total of 26 old sequences of the human genome were studied by the group. The pioneering research is particularly impressive because the warmth and humidity of Southeast Asia make it one of the most challenging environments for DNA preservation, which pose enormous challenges to scientists. 19659002] Professor Eske Willerslev, who holds positions at St John's College of the University of Cambridge and at the University of Copenhagen, directed the International Study
: We have put a lot of effort into recovering old DNA The Southeast Asia could shed new light on this area of rich human genetics. The fact that we could get 26 human genomes and shed light on the incredible genetic wealth of the groups in the region today is amazing. "
Hugh McColl, Ph.D." By sequencing 26 ancient human genomes – 25 from Southeast Asia, a Japanese from the University of Copenhagen and one of the leading authors of the 39, article, said: We have shown that neither of the two interpretations correspond to the complexity of the history of Southeast Asia. Hòabìnhian hunter-gatherers and East Asian farmers have contributed to the current diversity of Southeast Asia, with other migrations affecting the islands of East Asia. Southeast Asia and Vietnam. Our findings help solve one of the long-standing controversies in prehistory of Southeast Asia. "
Dr. Fernando Racimo, Assistant Professor at the Center for GeoGenetics at the Museum of Natural History of the University of Copenhagen, the other main author, said:" The history of human occupation in Southeast Asia remains highly debated, our research focused on the Iron Age Hòabìnhian and found that current populations in South-East Asia are the result of At least four older populations, it is a much more complex model than previously thought. "
Some of the samples used in the two-and-a-half year study come from The Duckworth Collection, University of Cambridge, which is one of the largest deposits of human remains in the world. Professor Marta Mirazón Lahr, Director of Laboratory Duckworth and one of the authors of the article, said: "This study addresses a major question about the origins of the diversity of peoples of South Asia -Is, as well as on the old relations between distant populations, such as Jomon and Hòabìnhian foragers, before agriculture.The fact that we learn so much from ancient genomes, like that of Gua Cha, highlights the l & # 39; importance of amazing collections such as the Duckworth. "
More information:
Hugh McColl et al, The Prehistoric Settlement of Southeast Asia, Science (2018). DOI: 10.1126 / science.aat3628
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