Year of Award
2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
Master of Arts (MA)
Degree Name
Anthropology
Other Degree Name/Area of Focus
Bioarchaeology
Department or School/College
Department of Anthropology
Committee Chair
Dr. Meradeth Snow
Commitee Members
Dr. Randall Skelton, Dr. James Tuttle
Keywords
ADNA, aDNA, Ancient Migrations, West Mexico, Mesoamerica, Archaeology, Bioanthropology, Bioarchaeology, Aztatlan, Aztatlán
Publisher
University of Montana
Subject Categories
Archaeological Anthropology | Biological and Physical Anthropology | Ethnic Studies | Indigenous Studies | Native American Studies | Other History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology | Other Religion | Social and Cultural Anthropology
Abstract
Despite the mounting evidence that suggests The Aztatlán tradition in West Mexico was a major cosmopolitan region during the Postclassic period (AD 900-1521) with connections to the rest of what is now Mexico, archaeologists have characterized items in West Mexico as culturally distinct from the rest of Mesoamerica. Recently, endogenous, and exogenous material culture has been interpreted as movement and exchange of goods and ideas between subregions and surrounding areas, all of which mention physical contact and trade were involved between Aztatlán and elsewhere. This has included interacting with areas as far as the U.S. Southwest, as well as in Southeastern Mexico, through long-distance economic exchanges. Current macroregional population models for this geographic region have focused on these material exchanges. However, the question of geneflow between these regions that accompanied the trade routes has not been addressed. Genetic information from skeletal remains disinterred during excavations in the 1950s offers insights on determining population dynamics and regional connections. This thesis discusses the first use of mtDNA analyses and genetic biological sex estimations of the West Mexico skeletal remains to assess the factors that shape this genetic variation within the Aztatlán Core Region. This research has obtained all permissions necessary from the Mexican government and museum housing the human remains and highlights the benefits of international collaboration.
Recommended Citation
Gutiérrez Ruano, Patricio. 2023. "Ancient Migrations in West Mexico: MtDNA Analyses". Graduate Student Thesis. Social Sciences, Department of Anthropology, University of Montana. Missoula, Montana. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd-anthropology/
Included in
Archaeological Anthropology Commons, Biological and Physical Anthropology Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, Indigenous Studies Commons, Native American Studies Commons, Other History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology Commons, Other Religion Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons
© Copyright 2023 Patricio Gutiérrez Ruano