Neolithic genomes reveal long distance interactions in agropastoral border zone of Yan Mountain Region

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The Yan Mountain Region (YMR), a transition zone between the Mongolian Plateau and northern China, played a pivotal yet understudied role in shaping the prehistoric East Asian genetic and cultural landscapes. Analyzing 42 ancient genomes (7700-4300 before present (BP)), focusing on the Early Neolithic Sitaimengguying (STM_EN) and Late Neolithic Jiangjialiang (JJL_LN) sites, we reveal the fine-scaled population history of the Neolithic YMR. We genetically link Early Neolithic YMR groups (Yumin and STM_EN) to the Early Neolithic Lake Baikal groups, in line with similar burial practices in the Lake Baikal region. JJL_LN individuals who belonged to the Late Neolithic Xiaoheyan culture were genetically heterogeneous reflecting an admixture between STM_EN-related groups and Yellow River farmers, and filled in an ancient genome sampling gap between the Hongshan and Lower Xiajiadian cultures. This study consolidates the idea of pre-pastoralist contact between the Eurasian steppe and northern Chinese agricultural societies and highlights the YMR as a key interaction sphere between the Yellow and West Liao River regions.