Using ancient DNA to understand the relationship between human biology and cultural practices in the Late Woodland and Mississippian Time Periods (AD 930-1200) in North America.

考古学分析表明，文化交流从区域中心，如卡霍基亚到周边地区发生在密西西比出现的时候（约1000年前），这项研究的重点是人类文化和生物学之间的关系，人类学家的中心问题。古代DNA方法被用来研究小规模人口流动在这一变化中的重要性。分析了卡霍基亚周边林地晚期和密西西比时期（公元930-1200年）地点的个体以及卡霍基亚地区地点的密西西比个体的DNA。分析测试在这些网站的时间遗传连续性的假设，并确定是否在丧葬习俗的变化反映了不断变化的亲属关系的概念。氟化物测年法将解决这些遗址的埋葬顺序问题。该项目将大大增加以前未研究的史前美洲土著人民的遗传数据。分析将进一步加深我们对美洲原住民史前史的理解，以及文化如何受到人们运动的影响，并提供来自多个晚期林地土丘的第一个遗传数据。 关于晚期林地和密西西比州的丧葬习俗和亲属关系的假设将被测试。这是一个更大的史前遗传多样性和疾病的区域研究的基础，并将用于调查史前结核病感染模式研究中的家族因素。本研究是三位女研究生论文的一部分。氟化物测年实验室的发展增加了研究生和本科生培训的选择，并为区域人类学家提供了直接的好处。研究结果将用于当地K-12学校和博物馆的外展计划。将在中西部考古会议上组织一次专题讨论会。这些结果可能有助于政府机构和博物馆制定有关土著居民的政策。

Archaeological analysis suggests that cultural exchange from regional centers like Cahokia to peripheral areas took place at the time of Mississippian Emergence (~1000 years ago), and this study focuses on the relationship between human culture and biology, a central question for anthropologists. Ancient DNA methods are used to examine the importance of small-scale population movements in this change. DNA is analyzed from individuals at sites that span the Late Woodland and Mississippian periods (AD 930-1200) on the periphery of Cahokia, and from Mississippian individuals at Cahokia region sites. Analyses test the hypothesis of temporal genetic continuity at these sites, and determine whether alterations in mortuary practice reflect changing concepts of kinship. Fluoride dating will resolve the burial sequences at these sites.This project will significantly increase the genetic data from previously unstudied populations of prehistoric Native American peoples. Analyses will further our understanding of Native American prehistory and how culture is affected by movements of people, and provide the first genetic data from multiple Late Woodland mounds. Hypotheses regarding Late Woodland and Mississippian mortuary practices and kinship will be tested. This is the basis for a larger regional study of prehistoric genetic diversity and disease, and will be used to investigate familial factors in research on prehistoric tuberculosis infection patterns.This project provides educational opportunities at multiple levels. This research is part of the dissertation of three female graduate students. The development of the Fluoride Dating Lab enhances options for graduate and undergraduate training and provides a direct benefit to regional anthropologists. Results will be utilized in outreach programs to local K-12 schools and museums. A symposium will be organized at the Midwest Archaeological Conference. These results may aid in policy formation by government institutions and museums with respect to Native populations.