Molecular Archaeological Research On Ancient Cattle From Houtaomuga Site

Houtaomuga(HTMG) site is located at the Da’an city,Jilin Province,China.It has been excavatied during 2011-2014, by Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology of Jilin University and Archaeological Institute of Jilin Province.Archaeologist suppose the site could be divided into seven period,extending from the Neolithic to the Liao and Jin Dynasties. In this study,we analyzed the mt DNA of 34 ancient cattle samples excavated from HTMG site.In summary:First,24 mt DNA partial sequences were successfully retrieved from 34 ancient samples. The whole experimental process in strict accordance with the ancient DNA experiment process operation,to ensure the ancient DNA sequences are real and effective.Second, we compared 17 ancient DNA sequences with Bison priscus,Bison bonasus,Bison bison,Bos primigenius,Bos grunniens,Bos taurus and Bos indicus from Gen Bank.The results indicated that HT31 belong to T3 cattle,it is the earliest Domestic cattle in the northeast of China,in 5000 years BP.the other 23 samples belong to Bos primigenius,C haplotypes.Third,there are 2 ditches of animal’s bones in HTMG site,which named G1 and G2.It can inference HTMG site has superior natural environment, rich wildlife resources,and ripe hunting technology.That may be the reasons why HTMG’s cattle haven’t been domesticed.Forth,in 5000 years BP,HTMG site and northwestern of China both find domestic cattle,nearly at the same time. This may suggest that ancient cattle were through two routes into China. One is spread by Xinjiang,via Hexi Corridor to the Central Plain, the other is through the Eurasian Steppe,via Northeast Asia, into north of China.