A woman buried in USA in the Pre-Columbian North America era

Ala1
Portrait reconstruction
Disclaimer: The portrait shown is a speculative reconstruction and not the actual face of the ancient sample. It represents an artistic interpretation based on archaeological data.
Specimen Details
Sample ID:
Ala1
Date:
1400 CE - 1900 CE
Biological Sex:
Female
mtDNA:
C1c1b
Y-DNA:
Not applicable
Cultural Period:
San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA
Location
Country:
USA
Locality:
Síi Túupentak (ALA-565/H). San Francisco Bay
Coordinates:
37.5944, -121.8889
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The San Francisco Bay Area, before the arrival of European settlers, was inhabited by diverse indigenous groups collectively known as the Ohlone people. This cultural group consisted of various autonomous tribelets with shared linguistic, cultural, and economic practices. The Ohlone's presence in the region dates back thousands of years prior to European contact, during which they developed a deep and symbiotic relationship with the land and waterways of the Bay Area.

Geography and Environment

The Bay Area provided a rich and diverse natural environment that supported the Ohlone way of life. The region's landscape, featuring rolling hills, oak woodlands, marshes, and abundant waterways, offered a wealth of natural resources. These elements allowed the Ohlone to develop a complex society that thrived on hunting, fishing, and gathering.

Social Structure and Villages

The Ohlone society was organized into numerous tribelets, each with its own territory and village or villages. These tribelets were autonomous but interconnected through trade, intermarriage, and shared ceremonies. Villages often consisted of domed structures made from willow branches and tule reeds, strategically situated near vital resources such as fresh water, oak groves, and food sources.

Leadership within these groups was typically hereditary, with village leaders holding significant power and responsibility. Decisions were often made collectively, with the input of elders and other respected community members.

Subsistence and Economy

The Ohlone managed their resources using sophisticated ecological knowledge and practices. They engaged in sustainable hunting and gathering, taking great care to maintain ecological balance. Their diet was diverse, including acorns, seeds, roots, berries, and various game such as deer, rabbit, and waterfowl. The Bay's waters provided an abundant supply of fish, shellfish, and marine mammals.

Acorn processing formed a dietary staple, with the Ohlone people perfecting methods to leach tannins and produce nutritious flour. They also engaged in controlled burns to manage vegetation, encourage new growth, and foster hunting opportunities.

Trade and Communication

Trade was a vital aspect of Ohlone culture, facilitating the exchange of goods, resources, and ideas. The Ohlone traded items like shell beads, feathers, obsidian, and foodstuffs with neighboring tribes and more distant groups. This network extended along the California coast and inland, connecting the Ohlone to a broader cultural and economic sphere.

Spirituality and Ceremonies

The Ohlone worldview was deeply spiritual, with a profound connection to the land and its spirits. Their cosmology included a pantheon of deities, spirit beings, and ancestral figures. Rituals and ceremonies played a central role in Ohlone culture, often linked to the seasons, life events, and community well-being.

Ceremonies could involve song, dance, and offerings, serving as communal gatherings that reinforced social bonds and cultural identity. Shamans, or spiritual leaders, held specialized knowledge of healing, spiritual practices, and traditional lore.

Art and Craftsmanship

Ohlone craftsmanship reflected both utility and artistry, with expertise in basket weaving, tool making, and pottery. Baskets, in particular, were made with intricate patterns and served multiple purposes, from storage to ceremonial use. The Ohlone utilized materials such as tule reeds, willow, and shells to create items that were not only functional but also culturally significant.

Impact of European Contact

The arrival of Spanish missionaries in the late 18th century marked a significant turning point for the Ohlone people. The establishment of missions led to dramatic changes in their way of life, with forced labor, conversion, and disease drastically reducing their population and disrupting their social structures. Despite these challenges, the Ohlone people have managed to preserve their cultural heritage and continue to celebrate and revitalize their traditional practices today.

In summary, the Ohlone people of the San Francisco Bay Area created a vibrant and sustainable culture, deeply interwoven with their natural environment. Their legacy continues to influence the region, contributing to California's diverse cultural tapestry.

Related Samples
Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
SC-05 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 775 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SN-44 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3626 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
CR-01 Santa Cruz Island Chumash Culture, California, USA 774 CE San Cruz Island. CA, USA View
CT-01 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 1440 CE San Catalina Island. CA, USA View
SM-02 San Miguel Island Chumash Culture, California, USA 1174 CE San Miguel Island. CA, USA View
SN-11 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 771 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-06 Chumash Culture, California, USA 417 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
523a Athabaskan Culture, Alaska, USA 1800 CE Palm Site, USA View
SN-13 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 1040 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
I15690 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 420 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
NC Chumash Culture, New Cuyama, California, USA 571 CE New Cuyama. CA, USA View
SN-17 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3369 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
Ala1 San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA 1400 CE Síi Túupentak (ALA-565/H). San Francisco Bay, USA View
SN-53 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 1165 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-10 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-48 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-03 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 239 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-07 Chumash Culture, California, USA 422 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SC-07 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-01 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-04 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 1039 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SN-52 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 990 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-15 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 78 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-51 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 410 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
US-14 Colonial Period Pennsylvania, USA 1521 CE Shohola Creek. Indian Cabin Ridge. PA, USA View
SN-54 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 2835 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-39 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SC-06 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SN-16 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SM-01 San Miguel Island Chumash Culture, California, USA 1286 CE San Miguel Island. CA, USA View
SN-32 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3341 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-03 Chumash Culture, California, USA 416 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-01 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-18 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-38 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-58 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-59 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3328 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-26 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-25 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 2570 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SC-03 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 890 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SN-20 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-17 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-09 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-04 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3081 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-02 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-12 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 663 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-43 Late San Nicolas Island, California, USA 795 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-23 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
CT-02 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 1400 CE San Catalina Island. CA, USA View
SN-57 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-37 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-09 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-56 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-55 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-31 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-60 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 2835 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-41 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
PS-04 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SN-45 Early San Nicolas Island, California, USA 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SC-02 Late Santa Cruz Island, California, USA 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
PS-34 Chumash Culture, California, USA 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
CH-01 Mainland Chumash Culture, California, USA 416 CE California. Carpenteria, USA View
B-03 Pericues Culture, Mexico 3000 BCE LC-218. Baja, Mexico View
MX-01 Baja California, Mexico 3000 BCE Iron Springs. Baja, Mexico View
B-04 Baja California, Mexico 3000 BCE Comondu. Baja, Mexico View
CK-13 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 2914 BCE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-09 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1458 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-06 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-10 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-03 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-02 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-05 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-01 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-03 Arctic Small Tool Tradition, Canada 1223 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
SN-39 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
I15690 420 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
523a 1800 CE Palm Site, USA View
Ala1 1400 CE Síi Túupentak (ALA-565/H). San Francisco Bay, USA View
B-03 3000 BCE LC-218. Baja, Mexico View
B-04 3000 BCE Comondu. Baja, Mexico View
CH-01 416 CE California. Carpenteria, USA View
CK-03 1223 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-09 1458 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-10 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CK-13 2914 BCE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
CR-01 774 CE San Cruz Island. CA, USA View
CT-01 1440 CE San Catalina Island. CA, USA View
CT-02 1400 CE San Catalina Island. CA, USA View
LU-01 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-02 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-03 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-05 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
LU-06 1200 CE Lucier. Southwestern Ontario, Canada View
MX-01 3000 BCE Iron Springs. Baja, Mexico View
NC 571 CE New Cuyama. CA, USA View
PS-02 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-03 416 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-04 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-06 417 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-07 422 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-09 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-17 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-18 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-23 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-26 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
PS-34 100 CE Point Sal. CA, USA View
SC-01 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-02 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-03 890 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-04 1039 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-05 775 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-06 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SC-07 700 CE San Clemente Island. CA, USA View
SM-01 1286 CE San Miguel Island. CA, USA View
SM-02 1174 CE San Miguel Island. CA, USA View
SN-01 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-03 239 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-04 3081 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-09 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-10 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-11 771 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-12 663 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-13 1040 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-15 78 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-16 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-17 3369 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-20 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-25 2570 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-31 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-32 3341 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-37 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-38 3700 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-41 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-43 795 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-44 3626 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-45 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-48 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-51 410 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-52 990 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-53 1165 CE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-54 2835 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-55 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-56 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-57 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-58 3650 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-59 3328 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
SN-60 2835 BCE California. San Nicolas Island, USA View
US-14 1521 CE Shohola Creek. Indian Cabin Ridge. PA, USA View
SN-50 San Nicolas Island Native American 420 CE San Nicolas Island (California), USA View
Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
Ala1 San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA 1400 CE Síi Túupentak (ALA-565/H). San Francisco Bay, USA View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (Ala1) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

Ancient Native Americans 77%
Ancient Asians 23%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (Ala1) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles modern populations from different geographic regions.

These results complement the ancient ancestry components shown in the previous section, offering a different perspective on the individual's genetic profile by comparing it with modern reference populations rather than prehistoric ancestral groups.

America 88%
America 88%
Native American 87.9%
Asia 11%
Northern Asian 8%
Siberian 5.6%
Mongolian 2.7%
Japanese & Korean 2%
Japanese 2.2%
Chinese & Southeast Asian 0%
Africa 1%
Congolese & Southern East African 1%
South East African 0.7%
North African 0%
Northern East African 0%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample Ala1 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

Ala1,0.0563813,-0.3142837,0.11166814,0.09540252,-0.1145017,-0.01309124,-0.28704414,-0.33846004,-0.01308926,-0.0159591,0.00273884,-7.67E-05,-0.0010136,0.02278662,-0.0071073,0.0007538,0.00580396,0.00505326,0.00298476,-0.00098008,-0.00010646,0.00494666,-0.0031314,-0.00193052,-0.00226153
Analyze it in G25 Studio
Scientific Papers References
Ancient human parallel lineages within North America contributed to a coastal expansion
Authors:
Scheib CL, Li H, Desai T
Abstract:

Little is known regarding the first people to enter the Americas and their genetic legacy. Genomic analysis of the oldest human remains from the Americas showed a direct relationship between a Clovis-related ancestral population and all modern Central and South Americans as well as a deep split separating them from North Americans in Canada. We present 91 ancient human genomes from California and Southwestern Ontario and demonstrate the existence of two distinct ancestries in North America, which possibly split south of the ice sheets. A contribution from both of these ancestral populations is found in all modern Central and South Americans. The proportions of these two ancestries in ancient and modern populations are consistent with a coastal dispersal and multiple admixture events.

Link:
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