Paleogenetical study of pre‐Columbian samples from Pampa Grande (Salta, Argentina)

Abstract

Ancient DNA recovered from 21 individualsexcavated from burial sites in the Pampa Grande(PG) region (Salta province) of North-Western Argentina(NWA) was analyzed using various genetic markers (mitochondrialDNA, autosomal STRs, and Y chromosomalSTRs). The results were compared to ancient and modernDNA from various populations in the Andean andNorth Argentinean regions, with the aim of establishingtheir relationships with PG. The mitochondrial haplogroupfrequencies described (11% A, 47% B, and 42%D) presented values comparable to those found for theancient Andean populations from Peru and San Pedro deAtacama. On the other hand, mitochondrial and Y chromosomalhaplotypes were specific to PG, as they did notmatch any other of the South American populationsstudied. The described genetic diversity indicates homogeneityin the genetic structure of the ancient Andeanpopulations, which was probably facilitated by theintense exchange network in the Andean zone, in particularamong Tiwanaku, San Pedro de Atacama, andNWA. The discovery of haplotypes unique to PG could bedue to a loss of genetic diversity caused by recent eventsaffecting the autochthonous populations (establishmentof the Inca Empire in the region, colonization by theEuropeans).