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. 2026 Jan 15;71(1):148-158.
doi: 10.1016/j.scib.2025.11.013. Epub 2025 Nov 7.

Neolithic genomes reveal long distance interactions in agropastoral border zone of Yan Mountain Region

Daxuan Zhang  1 , Bing Sun  1 , Fajun Li  2 , Xue Zhao  1 , Zhanhu Zhao  3 , Jun Li  4 , Shizhu Gao  5 , Yu Li  6 , Qiankun Quan  7 , Natalia Berdnikova  8 , Ivan Berdnikov  8 , Shan Chen  9 , Fan Zhang  10 , Chunxiang Li  1 , Choongwon Jeong  11 , Yinqiu Cui  12
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Free article

Neolithic genomes reveal long distance interactions in agropastoral border zone of Yan Mountain Region

Daxuan Zhang et al. Sci Bull (Beijing). .
Free article

Abstract

The Yan Mountain Region (YMR), a transition zone between the Mongolian Plateau and northern China, played a pivotal yet understudied role in shaping the prehistoric East Asian genetic and cultural landscapes. Analyzing 42 ancient genomes (7700-4300 before present (BP)), focusing on the Early Neolithic Sitaimengguying (STM_EN) and Late Neolithic Jiangjialiang (JJL_LN) sites, we reveal the fine-scaled population history of the Neolithic YMR. We genetically link Early Neolithic YMR groups (Yumin and STM_EN) to the Early Neolithic Lake Baikal groups, in line with similar burial practices in the Lake Baikal region. JJL_LN individuals who belonged to the Late Neolithic Xiaoheyan culture were genetically heterogeneous reflecting an admixture between STM_EN-related groups and Yellow River farmers, and filled in an ancient genome sampling gap between the Hongshan and Lower Xiajiadian cultures. This study consolidates the idea of pre-pastoralist contact between the Eurasian steppe and northern Chinese agricultural societies and highlights the YMR as a key interaction sphere between the Yellow and West Liao River regions.

Keywords: Agropastoral Zone; Ancient DNA; Northern China; Xiaoheyan Culture.

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