Journal article
Genetic Discontinuity between the Maritime Archaic and Beothuk Populations in Newfoundland, Canada
Current biology, Vol.27(20), pp.3149-3156.e11
10/23/2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.08.053
PMID: 29033326
Abstract
Situated at the furthest northeastern edge of Canada, the island of Newfoundland (approximately 110,000 km2) and Labrador (approximately 295,000 km2) today constitute a province characterized by abundant natural resources but low population density. Both landmasses were covered by the Laurentide ice sheet during the Last Glacial Maximum (18,000 years before present [YBP]); after the glacier retreated, ice patches remained on the island until ca. 9,000 calibrated (cal) YBP [1]. Nevertheless, indigenous peoples, whose ancestors had trekked some 5,000 km from the west coast, arrived approximately 10,000 cal YBP in Labrador and ca. 6,000 cal YBP in Newfoundland [2, 3]. Differential features in material culture indicate at least three settlement episodes by distinct cultural groups, including the Maritime Archaic, Palaeoeskimo, and Beothuk. Newfoundland has remained home to indigenous peoples until present day with only one apparent hiatus (3,400–2,800 YBP). This record suggests abandonment, severe constriction, or local extinction followed by subsequent immigrations from single or multiple source populations, but the specific dynamics and the cultural and biological relationships, if any, among these successive peoples remain enigmatic [4]. By examining the mitochondrial genome diversity and isotopic ratios of 74 ancient remains in conjunction with the archaeological record, we have provided definitive evidence for the genetic discontinuity between the maternal lineages of these populations. This northeastern margin of North America appears to have been populated multiple times by distinct groups that did not share a recent common ancestry, but rather one much deeper in time at the entry point into the continent.
•74 complete mitochondrial genomes from ancient populations in eastern North America•No evidence of maternal genetic continuity over 8,000 years•Eastern Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador) settled by multiple independent arrivals
Duggan et al. generate 74 whole mitochondrial genomes and stable-isotope data from three ancient aboriginal populations from coastal Eastern Canada, spanning eight millennia as well as European contact. The findings indicate a lack of genetic continuity between successive cultural groups and suggest complex dynamics of population and settlement.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Genetic Discontinuity between the Maritime Archaic and Beothuk Populations in Newfoundland, Canada
- Creators
- Ana T Duggan - McMaster UniversityAlison J.T Harris - Memorial University of NewfoundlandStephanie Marciniak - McMaster UniversityIngeborg Marshall - Memorial University of NewfoundlandMelanie Kuch - McMaster UniversityAndrew Kitchen - University of IowaGabriel Renaud - American Museum of Natural HistoryJohn Southon - University of California, IrvineBen Fuller - University of California, IrvineJanet Young - Wilfrid Laurier UniversityStuart Fiedel - BergerG. Brian Golding - McMaster UniversityVaughan Grimes - Memorial University of NewfoundlandHendrik Poinar - McMaster University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Current biology, Vol.27(20), pp.3149-3156.e11
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.cub.2017.08.053
- PMID
- 29033326
- ISSN
- 0960-9822
- eISSN
- 1879-0445
- Grant note
- name: Canada Insight Grant, award: 435-2014-0975; DOI: 10.13039/501100001804, name: Canada Research Chairs; DOI: 10.13039/100003510, name: Wilson Foundation; DOI: 10.13039/501100000092, name: Ontario Genomics Institute; name: Illumina Canada; DOI: 10.13039/501100005616, name: Memorial University of Newfoundland; name: J.R. Smallwood Foundation; name: Institute of Social and Economic Research; name: Beothuk Institute; DOI: 10.13039/100009776, name: McMaster University; name: Robert Corsini
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/23/2017
- Academic Unit
- Anthropology; International Programs
- Record Identifier
- 9984271554602771
Metrics
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