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Genes2024; 15(6); 790; doi: 10.3390/genes15060790

Ancient Mitochondrial Genomes Provide New Clues in the History of the Akhal-Teke Horse in China.

Abstract: This study analyzed ancient DNA from the remains of horses unearthed from the Shihuyao tombs. These were found to date from the Han and Tang Dynasties in Xinjiang (approximately 2200 to 1100 years ago). Two high-quality mitochondrial genomes were acquired and analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The genomes were split into two maternal haplogroups, B and D, according to a study that included ancient and contemporary samples from Eurasia. A close genetic affinity was observed between the horse of the Tang Dynasty and Akhal-Teke horses according to the primitive horse haplotype G1. Historical evidence suggests that the ancient Silk Road had a vital role in their dissemination. Additionally, the matrilineal history of the Akhal-Teke horse was accessed and suggested that the early domestication of the breed was for military purposes.
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Publication Date: 2024-06-15 PubMed ID: 38927726PubMed Central: PMC11203007DOI: 10.3390/genes15060790Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article discusses an analysis of ancient DNA found in horse remains from the Shihuyao tombs that reveals new insights about the history of the Akhal-Teke horse breed in China. The study indicates that these horses were likely domesticated early on for military purposes and that their propagation was greatly influenced by the ancient Silk Road.

Analysis of Ancient DNA

  • The study was based on ancient DNA recovered from horse remains found in the tombs of Shihuyao, which date from the Han and Tang Dynasties in Xinjiang, China. This period ranges approximately from 2200 to 1100 years ago.
  • The researchers extracted and analyzed two high-quality mitochondrial genomes using next-generation sequencing technology. Mitochondrial genomes are key in this context because they provide information about the maternal lineage of a species.
  • Through genomic analysis, the genomes were split into two maternal haplogroups, B and D, in line with a previous study that included ancient and contemporary samples from Eurasia.

The History of the Akhal-Teke Horse

  • The analysis revealed a close genetic affinity between horses from the Tang Dynasty and the Akhal-Teke breed, as per the primitive horse haplotype G1. This points to a historical linkage between these two groups of horses.
  • Historical evidence, likely in the form of archaeological or archival data, suggests that the ancient Silk Road played a significant role in disseminating these horses. The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes connecting the East and the West and could have facilitated the spread of horse breeds.
  • Finally, through examining the matrilineal history (tracing descent through the female line) of the Akhal-Teke horse, the study suggests that the breed was domesticated early on, primarily for military purposes. This raises interesting questions about the possible uses of these horses in warfare or other military contexts during those ancient times.

Cite This Article

APA
Zhu S, Zhang N, Zhang J, Shao X, Guo Y, Cai D. (2024). Ancient Mitochondrial Genomes Provide New Clues in the History of the Akhal-Teke Horse in China. Genes (Basel), 15(6), 790. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15060790

Publication

Genes
ISSN: 2073-4425
NlmUniqueID: 101551097
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 6
PII: 790

Researcher Affiliations

Zhu, Siqi
  • Department of Archaeology, School of History, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
Zhang, Naifan
  • Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology of Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
  • National Centre for Archaeology, Beijing 100013, China.
Zhang, Jie
  • Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Ürümqi 830011, China.
Shao, Xinyue
  • Department of Archaeology, University of Southampton, Avenue Campus, Southampton SO17 1BF, UK.
Guo, Yaqi
  • Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology of Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
Cai, Dawei
  • Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology of Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / genetics
  • Genome, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • China
  • DNA, Ancient / analysis
  • Haplotypes
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Phylogeny
  • History, Ancient
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Domestication

Grant Funding

  • NO.17ZDA221 / Major Project of the National Social Science Foundation of China
  • NO.2020YFC1521606 / National Key Research and Development Program of China
  • NO. 2022M722460 / Project funded by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
  • NO. 2022CXTD17 / Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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