Introduction:

DNA extracted from ancient human bones allows to analyze the genetic makeup of preColumbian populations and to determine the dynamics that gave rise to the diversity of contemporary populations.

Objective:

To determine the genetic diversity of skeletal remains associated with the Templo del Sol (Sun Temple) and their relationship with other contemporary and ancient communities of America.

Materials and methods:

We analyzed 13 individuals belonging to the pre-Columbian Muisca Period (IX-XVI centuries AD) from the vicinities of the Templo del Sol (Sun Temple) (Sogamoso, Boyacá) in the eastern Colombian Andes. Mitochondrial DNA was amplified and RFLPs were performed in order to type the four traditional Amerindian haplogroups (A, B, C and D). In addition, autosomal markers including amelogenin and Y-chromosome STRs were amplified.

Results:

Among the observed mitochondrial lineages, haplogroup A was the most frequent, followed by haplogroups B and C; no evidence of haplogroup D was found. The genetic variation analysis indicated a similar diversity of pre-Columbian Muiscas to that of contemporary populations belonging to the Chibcha linguistic family from Colombia and Central America. Molecular sexing was accomplished and it was compared to osteological data. With only one exception, anthropological and molecular data were consistent.

Conclusions:

Our results contribute new genetic elements supporting the hypothesis of Central American origin of the Chibcha groups of the Cundiboyacense plateau, and allowed sex typing and kinship evaluations.

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