Human genetic diversity of South America reveals complex history of Amazonia

EurekAlert! ^ | August 1, 2019 | Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History

[SunkenCiv]

The vast cultural and linguistic diversity of Latin American countries is still far from being fully represented by genetic surveys. Western South America in particular holds a key role in the history of the continent due to the presence of three major ecogeographic domains (the Andes, the Amazonia, and the Pacific Coast), and for hosting the earliest and largest complex societies...

A thorough study, a collaboration between scientists and institutes from Europe, the USA, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, including geneticists, linguists and anthropologists, has shed new light on the population history of South America... The results confirmed the impact of large, complex societies already known from archaeological evidence, but also revealed previously unknown migrations and connections across vast distances, including in Amazonia, an area that has not been as deeply studied archaeologically.

Genetic studies have played a fundamental role in understanding the population history of the American continent. By reconciling genetic evidence with the archaeological record and with paleoclimatic data, scientists have been able to pinpoint the time and scale of the earliest migrations, possible routes through the continent, the subsequent formation of population structure, and preferential routes of population migration and contact. Yet the picture is necessarily superficial because of the lack of representative data from all the diverse regions of the continent. One recurrent simplification relies on the contrast between the Andes, site of the famous large complex societies of the Wari, Tiahuanaco and Inca who built a vast network of roads, and Amazonia, where people apparently have been living in small isolated groups.

[SunkenCiv]

The vast cultural and linguistic diversity of Latin American countries is still far from being fully represented by genetic surveys. A new study explores the genetic roots of 26 populations from diverse regions and cultures of western South America and Mexico. The results reveal long-distance connections between speakers of the same language, and new traces of genetic diversity within the Amazonia. The vast cultural and linguistic diversity of Latin American countries is still far from being fully represented by genetic surveys. A new study explores the genetic roots of 26 populations from diverse regions and cultures of western South America and Mexico. The results reveal long-distance connections between speakers of the same language, and new traces of genetic diversity within the Amazonia. Credit: Chiara Barbieri and Rodrigo Barquera

[SunkenCiv]

s/b

The vast cultural and linguistic diversity of Latin American countries is still far from being fully represented by genetic surveys. A new study explores the genetic roots of 26 populations from diverse regions and cultures of western South America and Mexico. The results reveal long-distance connections between speakers of the same language, and new traces of genetic diversity within the Amazonia. Credit: Chiara Barbieri and Rodrigo Barquera

[SunkenCiv]

Glee', looks like the wheelhouse compared with that other topic.

[PIF]

Have you read America Before which covers this topic in depth? The article really is nothing but a generic announcement of a previously studied area. More click bait than substance.

[SunkenCiv]

It’s always anything for a buck with Hancock, imho. OTOH, he does a fine job aggregating links, I’ve forgotten to add that to my bookmarks.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3767470/posts?page=53#53

http://www.google.com/search?q=salvatore+michael+trento