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Genetic evidence supports demic diffusion of Han culture

Author

Listed:
  • Bo Wen

    (Fudan University
    Chinese National Human Genome Center)

  • Hui Li

    (Fudan University)

  • Daru Lu

    (Fudan University)

  • Xiufeng Song

    (Fudan University)

  • Feng Zhang

    (Fudan University)

  • Yungang He

    (Fudan University)

  • Feng Li

    (Fudan University)

  • Yang Gao

    (Fudan University)

  • Xianyun Mao

    (Fudan University)

  • Liang Zhang

    (Fudan University)

  • Ji Qian

    (Fudan University)

  • Jingze Tan

    (Fudan University)

  • Jianzhong Jin

    (Fudan University)

  • Wei Huang

    (Chinese National Human Genome Center)

  • Ranjan Deka

    (University of Cincinnati)

  • Bing Su

    (Fudan University
    University of Cincinnati
    the Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Ranajit Chakraborty

    (University of Cincinnati)

  • Li Jin

    (Fudan University
    University of Cincinnati)

Abstract

The spread of culture and language in human populations is explained by two alternative models: the demic diffusion model, which involves mass movement of people; and the cultural diffusion model, which refers to cultural impact between populations and involves limited genetic exchange between them1. The mechanism of the peopling of Europe has long been debated, a key issue being whether the diffusion of agriculture and language from the Near East was concomitant with a large movement of farmers1,2,3. Here we show, by systematically analysing Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA variation in Han populations, that the pattern of the southward expansion of Han culture is consistent with the demic diffusion model, and that males played a larger role than females in this expansion. The Han people, who all share the same culture and language, exceed 1.16 billion (2000 census), and are by far the largest ethnic group in the world. The expansion process of Han culture is thus of great interest to researchers in many fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Bo Wen & Hui Li & Daru Lu & Xiufeng Song & Feng Zhang & Yungang He & Feng Li & Yang Gao & Xianyun Mao & Liang Zhang & Ji Qian & Jingze Tan & Jianzhong Jin & Wei Huang & Ranjan Deka & Bing Su & Ranajit, 2004. "Genetic evidence supports demic diffusion of Han culture," Nature, Nature, vol. 431(7006), pages 302-305, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:431:y:2004:i:7006:d:10.1038_nature02878
    DOI: 10.1038/nature02878
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    Cited by:

    1. Ying Bai, 2022. "The Struggle For Existence: Migration, Competition, And Human Capital Accumulation In Historic China," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 63(3), pages 1239-1269, August.
    2. Sonja Opper & Fredrik N. G. Andersson, 2019. "Are entrepreneurial cultures stable over time? Historical evidence from China," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 36(4), pages 1165-1192, December.
    3. Yirong Shi & Yiwei Niu & Peng Zhang & Huaxia Luo & Shuai Liu & Sijia Zhang & Jiajia Wang & Yanyan Li & Xinyue Liu & Tingrui Song & Tao Xu & Shunmin He, 2023. "Characterization of genome-wide STR variation in 6487 human genomes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.

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