mtDNA analysis of mummies from northern Chile endorse the hypothesis of anAmazonian origin of Andean populations

The Amazonian origin of Andean populations, hypothesized on the basis of nu clear genetic markers, is tested using ancient mtDNA extracted from skeleta l remains from prehistoric populations of the Azapa valley, northern Chile. Forty two samples were analyzed of which 32 could be typed for Amerindian haplogroups whose distribution (A: 31.2%, B: 21.9%, C: 31.2%, D: 3.1% and o thers 12.5%) relates genetically the prehistoric groups to Amazonian and li ving Andean populations. The number of samples is still to small to allow a subdivision by chronological phases in order to test hypothesis about the biocultural microevolution of the populations studied.