Archaeogenomic evidence reveals prehistoric matrilineal dynasty

February 23, 2017 5:42 PM

For societies with writing systems, hereditary leadership is documented as one of the hallmarks of early political complexity and governance. In contrast, it is unknown whether hereditary succession played a role in the early formation of prehistoric complex societies that lacked writing. Here we use an archaeogenomic approach to identify an elite matriline that persisted between 800 and 1130 CE in Chaco Canyon, the centre of an expansive prehistoric complex society in the Southwestern United States. We show that nine individuals buried in an elite crypt at Pueblo Bonito, the largest structure in the canyon, have identical mitochondrial genomes. Analyses of nuclear genome data from six samples with the highest DNA preservation demonstrate mother–daughter and grandmother–grandson relationships, evidence for a multigenerational matrilineal descent group. Together, these results demonstrate the persistence of an elite matriline in Chaco for ∼330 years. (fulltext)
posted by AElfwine Evenstar (6 comments total)

Woman (mildly NSFW)
posted by bonobothegreat at 6:22 PM on February 23, 2017 [3 favorites]

The Navajo are matrilineal. The traditionalists are anyway. The Naali, grandmother, has a highly respected place. The Navajo Grandmothers eat for free at the View, overlooking the Mittens in Navajo Tribal Park.
posted by Oyéah at 7:23 PM on February 23, 2017 [3 favorites]

Chaco Canyon is amazing. It's beautiful and stark and the remaining buildings are breathtaking, and the ranger tours were all great. They were all quite upfront about how much we don't know, but how much was clearly accomplished there - how many people lived there, how much trade, the distances traveled - and all without written language. Anyone who hasn't been should go if they can.
posted by rtha at 10:23 PM on February 23, 2017 [3 favorites]

My god, this is an exceptionally well written and comprehensible Nature paper.
posted by Made of Star Stuff at 9:48 AM on February 26, 2017

i'm getting '500 server error'
posted by maiamaia at 7:06 AM on February 27, 2017

It's still working for me....

Just go to the Nature communications homepage and search for the fpp title and it should come up.
posted by AElfwine Evenstar at 12:44 PM on February 28, 2017