Ancient genomes shed light on the genetic history of the Iron Age to historical central Xinjiang, northwest China.

Abstract

Background: The genetic profile of the population in Xinjiang, northwest China, has been shaped by interregional movement and admixture since the Bronze Age. However, the detailed and intraregional population history of Xinjiang, especially central Xinjiang, has been unsolved due to uneven sample distribution.

Results: Here, we reported the ancient genomes from 8 individuals between the Iron Age and the historical period in central Xinjiang. We observed an east-west admixed ancestry profile and a degree of genetic continuity between the Iron Age and historical central Xinjiang individuals. Furthermore, these central Xinjiang individuals harboured ancestry related to ancient farmers of the Yellow River. We also identified a temporal change of the Yellow River farmers-related ancestry in central Xinjiang, showing an increase the Yelllow River affinity from Iron Age to Historical Era.

Conclusions: The finding indicated that the genetic structure of the central Xinjiang population since the Iron Age could have resulted from immigration from northern China, which was attributed to geopolitical factors. Hence, our results indicated that the geopolitical change with the deepening of Central Plains' management has influenced the genetic profile of central Xinjiang.