DNA Sequencing Links Living Native Americas with Ancient Descendants

DNA analysis has linked a living group of Native Americans in Canada with the remains of their ancestors, providing evidence that they are direct decedents of people who lived in the region more than 5,000 years ago.

An international team of researchers led by anthropologist Ripan S. Malhi of the University of Illinois used mitochondrial DNA sequencing to compare the genomes of four ancient and three living individuals from the north coast of British Colombia. Mitochondrial DNA is only passed along through the mother, so by tracking it across generations, researchers are able to determine maternal linkages. The indigenous communities involved in the study are of matrilineal culture, meaning they have a societal system in which one belongs to one's mother's lineage, which allowed the researchers to paint an even clearer picture of the people's history.

"There's a pattern of European males mixing with Native American females after European contact and so lots of the Y chromosomes in the community trace back to Europe," Malhi said in a statement. The mitogenome offers a clearer picture of Native American lineages before European contact, he said.

British Colombia's north coast is home the indigenous Tsimshian, Haida and Nisga'a people, all of whom have have written and oral histories indicating they have been present in the region for untold generations. But, according to researchers, until this study there were no definitive ties with the current inhabitants of the area to ancient human remains found there.

Using mitochondrial DNA sequencing, researchers were able to establish link in the mitogenome between a 5,500-year-old female with a younger, 2,500-year-old female excavated nearby. Researches found a living participant in the study also carried the same mitogenomic signature, which indicated she is a direct maternal descendant of those two women or their mothers.

Barbara Petzelt acted as the study's liaison to the Tsimshian-speaking Metlakatla community, one of the First Nations groups that participated in the study.

"Having a DNA link showing direct maternal ancestry dating back at least 5,000 years is huge as far as helping the Metlakatla prove that this territory was theirs over the millennia," said Petzelt, who was also an author and participant in the study.

Joycelynn Mitchell, a Metakatla co-author and participant in the study, said: "It's very exciting to be able to have scientific proof that corroborates what our ancestors have been telling us for generations. It's very amazing how fast technology is moving to be able to prove this kind of link with our past."

The research is published in the journal PLOS ONE.