A Late Pleistocene human genome from Southwest China.

[real expert]

Highlights

• Genome sequencing of a Late Pleistocene human (MZR, ∼14.0 kya) in Southwest China
• MZR represents an early diversified modern human lineage in East Asia
• Genetic stratification in ancient southern populations of East/Southeast Asia
• MZR deeply links to the East Asian ancestry that contributed to First Americans

Summary

Southern East Asia is the dispersal center regarding the prehistoric settlement and migrations of modern humans in Asia-Pacific regions. However, the settlement pattern and population structure of paleolithic humans in this region remain elusive, and ancient DNA can provide direct information. Here, we sequenced the genome of a Late Pleistocene hominin (MZR), dated ∼14.0 thousand years ago from Red Deer Cave located in Southwest China, which was previously reported possessing mosaic features of modern and archaic hominins. MZR is the first Late Pleistocene genome from southern East Asia. Our results indicate that MZR is a modern human who represents an early diversified lineage in East Asia. The mtDNA of MZR belongs to an extinct basal lineage of the M9 haplogroup, reflecting a rich matrilineal diversity in southern East Asia during the Late Pleistocene. Combined with the published data, we detected clear genetic stratification in ancient southern populations of East/Southeast Asia and some degree of south-versus-north divergency during the Late Pleistocene, and MZR was identified as a southern East Asian who exhibits genetic continuity to present day populations. Markedly, MZR is linked deeply to the East Asian ancestry that contributed to First Americans.


https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(22)00928-9

 

[real expert]

Physical anthropological investigations suggest that the MZR hominin remains exhibit a combination of AMH and archaic-like traits12,20, 21, 22(refer to the detailed morphological descriptions in the STAR Methods section). Overall, three plausible scenarios were proposed to explain the unique morphologic characteristics of MZR. First, MZR represents a late-surviving archaic hominin population even younger than the latest H. floresiensis (∼190–50 kya)28in Asia. Second, the mosaic morphologies probably result from hybridization between AMHs and unknown archaic hominin species. Third, the unusual morphologies of MZR represent the retention of ancestral polymorphisms in Paleolithic AMHs.20, 21, 22,29 To investigate these alternative scenarios, ancient genome sequences recovered from hominin remains can serve as critical evidence in revealing the identity of MZR and the genetic diversity of the Late Pleistocene hominins in southern East Asia.

https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(22)00928-9

For instance, the shape of the skull resembled that of Neanderthals, and its brain appeared to be smaller than that of modern humans.
As a result, some anthropologists had thought the skull probably belonged to an unknown archaic human species that lived until fairly recently or to a hybrid population of archaic and modern humans.
The finding contributes to our understanding of the rich genetic diversity of hominins living at that time in southern East Asia. Su says that it suggests that early humans who first arrived in eastern Asia had initially settled in the south before some of them moved to the north.'It’s an important piece of evidence for understanding early human migration,' he explains.'Such data will not only help us paint a more complete picture of how our ancestors migrate but also contain important information about how humans change their physical appearance by adapting to local environments over time, such as the variations in skin color in response to changes in sunlight exposure,' Su says.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/science...uggest-Native-Americans-East-Asian-roots.html

 

[Archetype0ne]

Highlights

• Genome sequencing of a Late Pleistocene human (MZR, ∼14.0 kya) in Southwest China
• MZR represents an early diversified modern human lineage in East Asia
• Genetic stratification in ancient southern populations of East/Southeast Asia
• MZR deeply links to the East Asian ancestry that contributed to First Americans

Summary

Southern East Asia is the dispersal center regarding the prehistoric settlement and migrations of modern humans in Asia-Pacific regions. However, the settlement pattern and population structure of paleolithic humans in this region remain elusive, and ancient DNA can provide direct information. Here, we sequenced the genome of a Late Pleistocene hominin (MZR), dated ∼14.0 thousand years ago from Red Deer Cave located in Southwest China, which was previously reported possessing mosaic features of modern and archaic hominins. MZR is the first Late Pleistocene genome from southern East Asia. Our results indicate that MZR is a modern human who represents an early diversified lineage in East Asia. The mtDNA of MZR belongs to an extinct basal lineage of the M9 haplogroup, reflecting a rich matrilineal diversity in southern East Asia during the Late Pleistocene. Combined with the published data, we detected clear genetic stratification in ancient southern populations of East/Southeast Asia and some degree of south-versus-north divergency during the Late Pleistocene, and MZR was identified as a southern East Asian who exhibits genetic continuity to present day populations. Markedly, MZR is linked deeply to the East Asian ancestry that contributed to First Americans.


https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(22)00928-9

Once I get coords for this sample I will be able to test if my weird (Native American + Papuan + Yellow River Neo) is this particular pop. I thought it was some Eurasian HG, but this one makes even more sense given SEA had direct contribution to Papuan pops and has a link to both Native Americans and obviously Yellow River Neolithic. With Papuans I think the timeline even matches 14kya I think the migration happened from exactly this region.