A groundbreaking study published in Science has shed new light on human prehistory in East Asia, revealing a previously unknown ancestry that highlights the genetic diversity of the region. Researchers analyzed ancient genomes from 127 individuals in Yunnan, China, dating back 7,100 to 1,400 years.
The findings indicate that this region is crucial for understanding the origins of Tibetan and Austroasiatic population groups. The study identified a distinct ancestry, dubbed Xingyi, which was found in a 7,100-year-old individual from Yunnan and is also present in an 11,000-year-old Longlin individual from Guangxi.
The researchers discovered that this ancient population diverged at least 19,000 years ago and shares a close genetic relationship with Austroasiatic speakers, who are widespread across Southeast Asia. The study’s results suggest that the spread of Austroasiatic speakers may have occurred before agricultural practices in the region.
This discovery provides new insights into the origins of Austroasiatic populations, offering the oldest evidence of ancestry associated with these groups. The research also sheds light on the history of populations in western and southeastern Yunnan, revealing genetic connections to northern East Asian ancestry.
The study’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of ancient human dynamics in East Asia, from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to Southeast Asia. By analyzing ancient DNA from 7,100- to 1,400-year-old populations, researchers have uncovered a rich tapestry of genetic diversity that accounts for the diverse ethnic and linguistic landscape of Yunnan today.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-05-ancient-genomes-human-prehistory-east.html