Prehistoric mitochondrial DNA of domesticate animals supports a 13th century exodus from the northern US southwest.

ABSTRACT: The 13th century Puebloan depopulation of the Four Corners region of the US Southwest is an iconic episode in world prehistory. Studies of its causes, as well as its consequences, have a bearing not only on archaeological method and theory, but also social responses to climate change, the sociology of social movements, and contemporary patterns of cultural diversity. Previous research has debated the demographic scale, destinations, and impacts of Four Corners migrants. Much of this uncertainty stems from the substantial differences in material culture between the Four Corners vs. hypothesized destination areas. Comparable biological evidence has been difficult to obtain due to the complete departure of farmers from the Four Corners in the 13th century CE and restrictions on sampling human

SUBMITTER: Kemp BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5528258 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature