New genetic perspectives on early maize cultivation in the American Southwest

Summary

Following the initial domestication of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) from a teosinte grass in Mexico, human populations dispersed the cultivar through trade and migration. Despite a long history of archaeology in the American Southwest, many questions about maize remain, including how the crop was dispersed northward from Mexico and how maize was acclimated to new environments. These unresolved questions can be explored in new ways, thanks to next-generation DNA sequencing technology and targeted enrichment of important genetic loci. By testing genetic markers in archaeological specimens, it is possible to determine genetic relationships between ancient samples and extant landraces, as well as tracing the routes by which maize was spread in North America. Furthermore, ancient DNA evidence can be used to explore what genes have undergone selective pressures, providing insights into past agricultural preferences and adaptations to local environmental settings. Here, we report findings from multiple maize samples from different archaeological sites, and in the process obtain a more nuanced understanding of the prehistoric use of maize in the American Southwest.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage