Ancient DNA indicates 3,000 years of genetic continuity in the Northern Iranian Plateau, from the Copper Age to the Sassanid Empire
Abstract In this study, we present new ancient DNA data from prehistoric and historic populations of the Iranian Plateau. By analysing 50 samples from nine archaeological sites across Iran, we report 23 newly sequenced mitogenomes and 13 nuclear genomes, spanning 4700 BCE to 1300 CE. We integrate an...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99743-w |
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| author | Motahareh Ala Amjadi Yusuf Can Özdemir Maryam Ramezani Kristóf Jakab Melinda Megyes Arezoo Bibak Zeinab Salehi Zahra Hayatmehar Mohammad Hossein Taheri Hossein Moradi Peyman Zargari Ata Hasanpour Vali Jahani Abdol Motalleb Sharifi Balázs Egyed Balázs Gusztáv Mende Mahmood Tavallaie Anna Szécsényi-Nagy |
| author_facet | Motahareh Ala Amjadi Yusuf Can Özdemir Maryam Ramezani Kristóf Jakab Melinda Megyes Arezoo Bibak Zeinab Salehi Zahra Hayatmehar Mohammad Hossein Taheri Hossein Moradi Peyman Zargari Ata Hasanpour Vali Jahani Abdol Motalleb Sharifi Balázs Egyed Balázs Gusztáv Mende Mahmood Tavallaie Anna Szécsényi-Nagy |
| author_sort | Motahareh Ala Amjadi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In this study, we present new ancient DNA data from prehistoric and historic populations of the Iranian Plateau. By analysing 50 samples from nine archaeological sites across Iran, we report 23 newly sequenced mitogenomes and 13 nuclear genomes, spanning 4700 BCE to 1300 CE. We integrate an extensive reference sample set of previously published ancient DNA datasets from Western and South-Central Asia, enhancing our understanding of genetic continuity and diversity within ancient Iranian populations. A new Early Chalcolithic sample, predating all other Chalcolithic genomes from Iran, demonstrates mostly Early Neolithic Iranian genetic ancestry. This finding reflects long-term cultural and biological continuity in and around the Zagros area, alongside evidence of some western genetic influence. Our sample selection prioritizes northern Iran, with a particular focus on the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanid periods (355 BCE–460 CE). The genetic profiles of historical samples from this region position them as intermediates on an east-west genetic cline across the Persian Plateau. They also exhibit strong connections to local and South-Central Asian Bronze Age populations, underscoring enduring genetic connections across these regions. Diachronic analyses of uniparental lineages on the Iranian Plateau further highlight population stability from prehistoric to modern times. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a4ef35c04f124e328b42ca761816af25 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-a4ef35c04f124e328b42ca761816af252025-08-20T03:53:58ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-99743-wAncient DNA indicates 3,000 years of genetic continuity in the Northern Iranian Plateau, from the Copper Age to the Sassanid EmpireMotahareh Ala Amjadi0Yusuf Can Özdemir1Maryam Ramezani2Kristóf Jakab3Melinda Megyes4Arezoo Bibak5Zeinab Salehi6Zahra Hayatmehar7Mohammad Hossein Taheri8Hossein Moradi9Peyman Zargari10Ata Hasanpour11Vali Jahani12Abdol Motalleb Sharifi13Balázs Egyed14Balázs Gusztáv Mende15Mahmood Tavallaie16Anna Szécsényi-Nagy17Doctoral School of Biology, ELTE-Eötvös Loránd UniversityDoctoral School of Biology, ELTE-Eötvös Loránd UniversityNoor Human Genetic Research CentreInstitute of Archaeogenomics, HUN-REN Research Centre for the HumanitiesInstitute of Archaeogenomics, HUN-REN Research Centre for the HumanitiesDepartment of Archaeology, University of TehranNoor Human Genetic Research CentreFaculty of Management and Financial Science, Department of Management, Khatam UniversityLaboratoire Archéorient, Université Lumière Lyon 2, Maison de l’Orient et de la MéditerranéeIranian Centre for Archaeological Research (ICAR)Department of Biology, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad UniversityResearch Institute for Cultural Heritage and TourismResearch Institute for Cultural Heritage and TourismResearch Institute for Cultural Heritage and TourismDepartment of Genetics, ELTE-Eötvös Loránd UniversityInstitute of Archaeogenomics, HUN-REN Research Centre for the HumanitiesKawsar Human Genetic Research CentreInstitute of Archaeogenomics, HUN-REN Research Centre for the HumanitiesAbstract In this study, we present new ancient DNA data from prehistoric and historic populations of the Iranian Plateau. By analysing 50 samples from nine archaeological sites across Iran, we report 23 newly sequenced mitogenomes and 13 nuclear genomes, spanning 4700 BCE to 1300 CE. We integrate an extensive reference sample set of previously published ancient DNA datasets from Western and South-Central Asia, enhancing our understanding of genetic continuity and diversity within ancient Iranian populations. A new Early Chalcolithic sample, predating all other Chalcolithic genomes from Iran, demonstrates mostly Early Neolithic Iranian genetic ancestry. This finding reflects long-term cultural and biological continuity in and around the Zagros area, alongside evidence of some western genetic influence. Our sample selection prioritizes northern Iran, with a particular focus on the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanid periods (355 BCE–460 CE). The genetic profiles of historical samples from this region position them as intermediates on an east-west genetic cline across the Persian Plateau. They also exhibit strong connections to local and South-Central Asian Bronze Age populations, underscoring enduring genetic connections across these regions. Diachronic analyses of uniparental lineages on the Iranian Plateau further highlight population stability from prehistoric to modern times.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99743-wPersian PlateauIranAncient DNAGenetic ancestryAchaemenidParthian |
| spellingShingle | Motahareh Ala Amjadi Yusuf Can Özdemir Maryam Ramezani Kristóf Jakab Melinda Megyes Arezoo Bibak Zeinab Salehi Zahra Hayatmehar Mohammad Hossein Taheri Hossein Moradi Peyman Zargari Ata Hasanpour Vali Jahani Abdol Motalleb Sharifi Balázs Egyed Balázs Gusztáv Mende Mahmood Tavallaie Anna Szécsényi-Nagy Ancient DNA indicates 3,000 years of genetic continuity in the Northern Iranian Plateau, from the Copper Age to the Sassanid Empire Scientific Reports Persian Plateau Iran Ancient DNA Genetic ancestry Achaemenid Parthian |
| title | Ancient DNA indicates 3,000 years of genetic continuity in the Northern Iranian Plateau, from the Copper Age to the Sassanid Empire |
| title_full | Ancient DNA indicates 3,000 years of genetic continuity in the Northern Iranian Plateau, from the Copper Age to the Sassanid Empire |
| title_fullStr | Ancient DNA indicates 3,000 years of genetic continuity in the Northern Iranian Plateau, from the Copper Age to the Sassanid Empire |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ancient DNA indicates 3,000 years of genetic continuity in the Northern Iranian Plateau, from the Copper Age to the Sassanid Empire |
| title_short | Ancient DNA indicates 3,000 years of genetic continuity in the Northern Iranian Plateau, from the Copper Age to the Sassanid Empire |
| title_sort | ancient dna indicates 3 000 years of genetic continuity in the northern iranian plateau from the copper age to the sassanid empire |
| topic | Persian Plateau Iran Ancient DNA Genetic ancestry Achaemenid Parthian |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99743-w |
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