Ancient DNA reveals kinship burial patterns of a pre-Columbian Andean community.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A detailed genetic study of the pre-Columbian population inhabiting the Tompullo 2 archaeological site (department Arequipa, Peru) was undertaken to resolve the kin relationships between individuals buried in six different chullpas. Kin relationships were an important factor shaping the social organization in the pre-Columbian Andean communities, centering on the ayllu, a group of relatives that shared a common land and responsibilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this Andean model of a social organization had an influence on mortuary practices, in particular to determine whether chullpas served as family graves.

Results

The remains of forty-one individuals were analyzed with both uniparental (mtDNA, Y-chromosome) and biparental (autosomal micro

SUBMITTER: Baca M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3470988 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature