Analyses of DNA from ancient bones of a pre-Columbian Cuban woman and a child

Molecular anthropology has brought new possibilities into the study of anci ent human populations. Amplification of chromosomal short tandem repeat (ST R) loci and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been successfully employed in ana lyses of ancient bone material. Although several studies have reported on c ontinental Amerindian populations, none have addressed the ancient populati ons inhabiting the Caribbean islands. We used STR and mtDNA analyses to stu dy the skeletal remains of a Cuban Ciboney female adult holding an infant. Results showed that for the STR analyzed the skeletal remains shared common alleles, suggesting a relationship. Mitochondrial DNA analysis showed sequ ence identity, thus corroborating a possible mother-child relationship. The mtDNA sequence grouped these remains into haplogroup A, commonly found in Amerindian populations. Based on these results, we speculated on a South Am erican origin of pre-Columbian Antilles populations.