DNA Analysis Proves Indigenous Cultivation of Beaked Hazelnut

 

Scientists have studied the DNA of a native hazelnut in order to analyze how Indigenous peoples stewarded their land. The use of the beaked hazelnut (Corylus Cornuta) by indigenous peoples for food, medicine, craftmanship, and more has survived in oral traditions, so the study set out to investigate how the genetic profile of the hazelnut aligned with this knowledge. The hazelnuts were collected across western North America and the DNA of the specimens were analyzed. They mapped out the geographic distribution of plants sharing these genetic traits as well. It was discovered that people were transplanting and cultivating hazelnuts over long distances from their origin. They were selectively managing them, enabling the increase of genetic diversity within the hazelnut. Also, by analyzing specific unique hazelnut clusters only present in certain areas, they were able to support Indigenous land claims in those areas.

In my opinion this study is of great importance to understanding the behaviors of Indigenous peoples in the past. It was believed before that Indigenous peoples did not cultivate or steward the land they lived on, and this study brings a wider appreciation of Indigenous cultures and their behaviors. We are able to better understand how Indigenous settlers influenced genetic diversity within the land. We are able to learn more about how these cultures practiced environmental sustainability, giving us a better understanding of their values and motivations as a society. This study helps restore knowledge that was lost over time and by colonizing settlers who separated the Indigenous peoples from their land and cultures.

Do Any Genes of Indigenous Americans Remain in the Gene Pool?  

     

    The University of Adelaide Recently conducted a study of ancient DNA from early American people. The researchers collected DNA of 92 mummies and skeleton between 500 and 8,600 years old. Due to the subjects being so old and most of the body decomposed; it is easiest for analyzers to take DNA samples to be taken form teeth and bone. Using this DNA the researchers compared it to samples of modern day indigenous Americans. The study revealed an absence of pre-colombian genetic lineages in modern in modern indigenous Americans. This data shows an extinction of the lineages upon spanish arrival to America. 

     The genetic analysis confirms that the first American entered around 16,000 years ago through the pacific coast. The main reason the genetic lineage of these people are no longer seen in modern day Americans are, because when they migrated over they stayed in isolated areas in very small groups. therefore the genetic variation of these groups was not very large. once the Spaniards came over the groups that were not killed most likely died off due to disease they could not fight with such little genetic variation. To further confirm there are no ancient American genes left in today gene pool the researchers will have to increase the genetic data of todays humans.