by DNA study in BC
A groundbreaking genetic study led by a team of U.S. and Canadian anthropologists has traced a direct DNA link between the 5,500-year-old remains of an aboriginal woman found on a British Columbia island, a second set of ancient female bones from a nearby 2,500-year-old site and — most stunningly — a living Tsimshian woman from the Metlakatla First Nation, located close to both of the prehistoric burials along B.C.’s North Coast near the city of Prince Rupert.
The findings are the first of their kind to be generated using powerful new techniques to analyze the complete mitochondrial genome of the individuals studied, reconstructing a millennia-spanning line of maternal descent and providing remarkable new evidence of a people’s enduring occupation of a specific geographical area.
The scientific achievement is also seen to have significant implications for First Nations’ land claims and treaty rights, giving aboriginal groups a powerful new tool for demonstrating deep-rooted links between the present and hyper-distant past.
Read more in the Vancouver Sun. If unable to view as a non-subscriber, try the original source here. I had first seen this referenced in Archaeology.org which has a link to what may be the original article.
To me, this is exciting and fascinating news. Imagine some day having this new DNA research technology available to anyone to find one’s own roots from thousands of years ago. I wonder where my maternal ancestors came from?
July 7, 2013 in Anthropology, Canada and BC, Ethnicity, History by Marja-Leena
Hullo Marja-Leena, the mind boggles at the possibilities. Another money-spinner for the lawyers perhaps?
I must apologise for not commenting on your recent, earlier posts. Having deleted you from my blogroll, so that I could access my own blog, I forgot to put you back on. Situation rectified; good to see you back.
Tom, we have been visiting each other’s blogs at the same time! I hesitated to visit until I was sure all was clear. I’m happy to be back to normal for I have missed my friends here.
Yes, this is indeed mind-bogggling. It may take a long time before this becomes available to the average person, especailly at a reasonable cost. Why is that lawyers have to get involved in everything? Certainly they are necessary in the First Nations treaty negotiations which have been stalled for far too long in this province.
This is wonderful news for the tribes involved in ongoing treaty disputes with modern governments but absolutely no surprise at all for the First Nations peoples as a whole. The native inhabitants of western and northern Canada were luckier than most in that they had some forewarning of the migrating Europeans. It’s a blessing some of them managed to hold their land.
Even without official scientific proof, I’m still quite certain my distant ancestors used to paint themselves with woad and danced in sacred groves at every solstice.
Susan, yes, it is good news. The reservation system in most of Canada is quite appalling really for they were often given the worst lands. In BC most First Nations did not sign treaties so they have had more say in how to share the wealth of the natural resources on the lands they live in. It’s a huge issue here, as you may know, with the proposed oil pipelines through their lands.
I’m sure you still have that call from your ancestors. I wonder if mine worshipped the bears and the forests and chanted Kalevala verses…
Interesting… Although I have the wish that we would see the world as holding one family, with members who must get along and take care of their home.
Marly, I agree heartily! And I’m sure the First Nations wish to be included as equals in that family.
I often amuse myself by thinking of my DNA suspended in the tissue of an early mammal sunning itself on the edge of a forest or better if that is remotely possible in the primitive cells of trilobite scampering across the floor of a Cambrian sea.
Joe, those are amusing and clever thoughts indeed!