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Researchers analyzed the “dynastic ruler” skeleton genome buried in Copán. | Credit: Seyichi Nakamura
The skeletons buried near the ancient Maya city Kopán revealed new clues about collapsebut not a complete decimal, Mayan civilization;
The genomic test of the seven -human genomes from the classic Mayan (AD 250 to 900) in the present Western Honduras showed that the population contracted dramatically about 1,200 years ago.
“Our conclusions show a decline in the size of the population” between Mayan, co -author of the study Shigeki NakagomeLive Science, Assistant to the Trinity College Dublin Genomic Medicine Professor, told e -mail. In a letter that “corresponds to the scenario proposed by archaeologists, where the population has fallen but did not become completely disappeared.”
Night and colleagues posted their findings on Wednesday (May 28) in the magazine Current biology; In their study, researchers examined the hypothesis that bystanders took over power in Copán in the late 420s and investigated how the interaction between the locals and the non-local interaction created social and cultural changes in this important center of Maya.
Copán was the main capital, located in the extreme southeast of classical Maya civilization, acting as a kind of crossroads between Central and South America. The Royal Dynasty, which ruled for four centuries, was established in Copán, 426, a man known as K’inich Yax K’uk ‘, who was an outsider according to the notes. Analysis of previous genomic and isotopic skeletons from other parts of Maya shows that migration and gene flow has been common, but the nature of that gene mixing has never been investigated.
Based on the genome sequence of seven people buried in Copán, the researchers learned that all people have different mother’s relatives. However, two men belonged to the same Y-chromosome line and were buried together: one of the wealthy burials was a possible dynastic ruler and the other male was a possible victim.
However, the men were not closely linked. “Although the dynastic ruler and the donated person have the same y-chromosome haplogroup,” said Nakagome, “We didn’t find any kinship.” According to him, the men’s sharing line is common among the local American population today.
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By comparing seven ancient genomes with previously following genome throughout Siberia and America, researchers found solid evidence of genetic continuity in the Maya region since the late archaic period, about 3700 AD. Pr. BC. Up to 1000 m. Pr. BC. These genetic data show “long -term survival of local ancestors in the Maya region,” wrote researchers in the study.
They also found that the classic Mayan period had an influx of people with high -rise Mexico ancestors, perhaps from other Mayan sites such as Chichén itzá; These “outsiders” – perhaps part of the ruling dynasty Copán – mixed with the locals, creating the population with two main ancestors.
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Continue to delve into the genomic data of seven, the researchers were able to evaluate the size of the Mayan population at specific times of time. Based on their model, “it looks [people]”About the AD 730, they wrote. Increase may be related to the emergence of corn agriculture, which may have maintained a larger population. Then the size of the population began to decline by about 750 AD, “it coincides with the collapse of classic Maya civilization,” they wrote.
Although the population decreased dramatically after the collapse of the Maya political system, the researchers eventually found support in the analysis of the population’s perseverance.
“The genetic continuity observed in our study confirms the idea that the population was not changed after the collapse.” More than 7 million these days Mayan genomes are closely linked to the ancient Mayan genomes.