Mtwapa

Mtwapa is an important archaeological site along the Swahili coast. First discovered by Emery in the late 19th century, Mtwapa has since been excavated to reveal 64 houses, five mosques, as well as other unidentified structures. Artifacts found at the site include pottery, iron, beads, and glass from local and long-distance trade. DNA analysis has been completed for human remains of 39 ancient Mtwapa individuals in order to determine the proportions of "African-like, Persian-like, and Indian-like" DNA sequences. Dating from 1500 to 1700 AD, the analysis was completed of the individuals' mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), autosomal DNA, Y chromosome DNA, and X chromosome DNA. Analysis of mtDNA in the individual, demonstrating maternal ancestry patterns, showed a L* haplotype. The L* haplotype is predominantly found in present-day Sub-Saharan African populations. Y chromosome analysis, demonstrating paternal ancestry patterns, showed that the individual was carrying the J2 haplotype, found more frequently in Southwest Asian or Persian individuals compared to Sub-Saharan African individuals. However, the gene M30d1 was found in some individuals, which is associated with South Asian populations, and the R0+16189 haplotype, which is associated with Saudi Arabian populations. However, this evidence still points to "overwhelmingly from female sources" regarding maternal ancestry. X chromosomes, containing larger maternal influence, were compared with the 22 autosomal chromosomes, which contain equal maternal and paternal influence. X chromosomes contained more indicators of African ancestry compared to autosomal DNA, further adding to evidence of African ancestry on the maternal side and Persian or Southeast Asian ancestry on the paternal side. Introduction of foreign DNA was estimated to have occurred between 708 and 1219 AD. However, the authors indicate that this likely occurred over "multiple generations" and that mixture of Eurasian and African populations has continually occurred since == The population of Mtwapa ==