ancient dna – Shamskm: A site to exchange knowledge and solutions

Aztec Conquest Altered Genetics among Early Mexico Inhabitants, New DNA Study Shows

By Guest PostFebruary 3, 2013Science1395 ad, adna, alter, ancient dna, anthropological research, archeological dig, austin, aztec conquest, aztec empire, aztec imperialism, capital, case of xaltocan, colonization, dna study, early mexico inhabitants, exodus, genetic evidence, genetic impact, genetic shift, genetic transition, genetics, historical events, imperial conquest, jaime mata míguez, lisa overholtzer, mesoamerican populations, mexican city state, migration, mitochondrial adna, otomi inhabitants, otomi people, otomi population, otomi skull, post conquest era, pre aztec, university of texas, washington state university, wichita state university, xaltocan, xaltocan dig site, xaltocan households

AUSTIN, Texas — For centuries, the fate of the original Otomí inhabitants of Xaltocan, the capital of a pre-Aztec Mexican city-state, has remained unknown. Researchers have long wondered whether they assimilated with the Aztecs or abandoned the town altogether.

According to new anthropological research from The University of Texas at Austin, Wichita State University and Washington State University, the answers may lie in DNA. Following this line of evidence, the researchers theorize that some original Otomies, possibly elite rulers, may have fled the town. Their exodus may have led to the reorganization of the original residents within Xaltocan, or to the influx of new residents, who may have intermarried with the Otomí population. (more…)

Woolly Mammoth Extinction Has Lessons for Modern Climate Change

By Guest PostJune 13, 2012Environment, Naturealaska, ancient dna, bering strait, beringia, blaire van valkenburgh, climate change, climate change data, climate warming, database, dave beilman, demise of mammoths, elephantidae family, extinction, flintstonian behemoths, fossils, glen macdonald, human settlements, konstantine kremenetski, last ice age, mammoth populations, mammoth remains, marshy peatlands, paleoclimate data, paleolithic archaeological sites, radiocarbon dating, robert wayne, Siberia, siberian forest, ucla, woolly mammoth, younger dryas, yukon

Although humans and woolly mammoths co-existed for millennia, the shaggy giants disappeared from the globe between 4,000 and 10,000 years ago, and scientists couldn’t explain until recently exactly how the Flintstonian behemoths went extinct.

In a paper published June 12 in the journal Nature Communications, UCLA researchers and colleagues reveal that not long after the last ice age, the last woolly mammoths succumbed to a lethal combination of climate warming, encroaching humans and habitat change — the same threats facing many species today. (more…)

Tag Archives: ancient dna

Aztec Conquest Altered Genetics among Early Mexico Inhabitants, New DNA Study Shows

Woolly Mammoth Extinction Has Lessons for Modern Climate Change