Linking the Past to the Present: Collaborative DNA Research with Native Californians

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Increasing the Accessibility of Ancient DNA within Archaeology" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

At the time of European contact, a high degree of linguistic diversity characterized Native California, implying a long prehistory of different ethnic groups migrating into the region. Previous research, using mitochondrial DNA samples contributed by living descendants, produced correlations between certain genetic markers and populations that spoke related languages. The advent of ancient DNA testing not only permits an increased understanding of past genetic diversity within particular cultural groups, but also demonstrates continuity of certain genetic lineages between ancient populations and tribal descendants today. Such studies benefit California Indians by validating ancestral connections to tribal homelands, thereby providing a scientific basis for establishing cultural affiliation and descendancy as defined by federal and state laws.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)   •
• Increasing the Accessibility of Ancient DNA within Archaeology

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 32529