Genetic History of Peru

Debate about the patterning of genetic diversity in human populations has centered on the importance of language, geography, and sex-biased gene flow, as well as the extent and origin of admixture. Because of the diversity of languages and environments, Peru is an ideal place to investigate these issues.

For this project, samples are being obtained from geographically diverse parts of Peru and from different language and ethnic groups, although the project will focus on populations speaking Quechua and Aymara (Aimara or Aru) languages in particular. The general aim of this research is to investigate Alu polymorphisms, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation, and Y chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short tandem repeat (STR) loci. These data will allow the investigation of the spatial distribution of present-day diversity and the extent of admixture between native and non-native peoples, as well as the testing of hypotheses about the relationship between genetics, geography and language in the central Andes. This research will be conducted at the Molecular Anthropology Laboratory at the Arizona State University and in Peru at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and Universidad Ricardo Palma.

This project also includes training of both American and Peruvian students and public outreach through Spanish and English versions of a web page about the project.