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. 2015 Jan 19;370(1660):20130388.
doi: 10.1098/rstb.2013.0388.

Where are the Caribs? Ancient DNA from ceramic period human remains in the Lesser Antilles

F Mendisco  1 , M H Pemonge  2 , E Leblay  2 , T Romon  3 , G Richard  4 , P Courtaud  2 , M F Deguilloux  2
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Where are the Caribs? Ancient DNA from ceramic period human remains in the Lesser Antilles

F Mendisco et al. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. .

Abstract

The identity and history of the indigenous groups who occupied the Lesser Antilles during the ceramic periods remain highly controversial. Although recent archaeological evidence has challenged hypotheses concerning the organization of human groups in this region, more biological data are needed to fully inform the discussion. Our study provides, to our knowledge, the first palaeogenetic data for Late Ceramic groups of the Guadeloupe archipelago, yielding crucial information concerning the identities of these groups. Despite the generally poor DNA preservation in the tested remains, we were able to retrieve Hypervariable Region 1 sequences from 11 individuals and mitochondrial single-nucleotide polymorphisms from 13 individuals. These novel data provide interesting preliminary results in favour of a common origin for all Saladoid Caribbean communities, i.e. the first ceramic groups of the region, as well as for a local continuity between the Saladoid and post-Saladoid groups. A combination of the genetic data obtained and several pieces of cultural evidence allows us to propose that two different groups inhabited the Guadeloupe archipelago during the Late Ceramic period, with the possible occupation of the La Désirade and Marie-Galante islands by groups affiliated with the Taíno communities. The working hypotheses proposed here appear consistent with recent archaeological evidence.

Keywords: Caribbean region; Guadeloupe archipelago; Late Ceramic Age; ancient DNA; mitochondrial DNA.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Locations of the studied archaeological sites. (1) Grotte Cadet 2; (2) Grotte Blanchard; (3) Stade José Bade (Capesterre); (4) Grotte du Morne Rita; (5) Voute à Pin; (6) Anse St Marguerite; (7) Ilet Gosier; (8) Roseau; (9) Saint Claude; (10) Grande Anse (Trois-Rivières); (11) Gare-Maritime (Basse-Terre).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Map showing the distribution of FST values for (a) the studied ancient LCG group and (b) for all ancient Caribbean samples.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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