The genetic legacy of legendary and historical Siberian chieftains

• DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01307-3
• Publication Date: 2020-10-16T10:02:55Z
• Authors: Vincent Zvénigorosky; Sylvie Duchesne; Liubomira Romanova; Patrice Gérard; Christiane Petit; Michel Petit; Anatoly Alexeev; Olga Melnichuk; Angéla Gonzalez; Jean-Luc Fausser; Aisen Solovyev; Georgii Romanov; Nikolay Barashkov; Sardana Fedorova; Bertrand Ludes; Eric Crubézy; Christine Keyser
• Keywords: Dominance (genetics); CONQUEST; Clan

Abstract Seventeen years of archaeological and anthropological expeditions in North-Eastern Siberia (in the Sakha Republic, Yakutia) have permitted genetic analysis 150 ancient (15th-19th century) 510 modern individuals. Almost all males were successfully analysed (Y-STR) this allowed us to identify paternal lineages their geographical expansion through time. This data was confronted with mythological, historical material evidence establish sequence events that built Yakut diversity. We show Yakuts recovered from large collection graves are not representative an population. Uncommonly, we also able demonstrate funerary preference observed here involved three specific male lineages, especially 18 th century. Moreover, dominance likely caused by Russian conquest which some clans rise new levels power. Finally, give indications mythical figures might been actors those changes. These results help reconsider dynamics colonization regions, question distinction between fact myth national histories provide a rare insight into ensemble revealing biased process its composition.