MtDNA haplotype identification of aurochs remains originating from the Czech Republic (Central Europe)

0386646 - ARÚ 2013 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Kyselý, René - Hájek, M.
MtDNA haplotype identification of aurochs remains originating from the Czech Republic (Central Europe).
Environmental Archaeology. Roč. 17, č. 2 (2012), s. 118-125. ISSN 1461-4103. E-ISSN 1749-6314
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z80020508
Institutional support: RVO:67985912
Keywords : wild cattle (Bos primigenius) * aDNA * haplotype P * domestication
Subject RIV: AC - Archeology, Anthropology, Ethnology

This study presents the results of the analysis of mtDNA bone samples morphologically determined to be aurochs (Bos primigenius) from four various archaeological finds in the Czech Republic (Central Europe). The results from two of them - the Pleistocene sample from Praha-Řeporyje and the Neolithic sample from Vedrovice - probably represent contamination by modern DNA. Sequences identified in the Eneolithic Kutná Hora-Denemark site (~5 thousand BP) confirm the presence of haplogroup P in the geographically partly isolated Czech basin. This finding (the first of its kind within the Czech Republic) is consistent with other published findings showing the domination of this aurochs haplogroup line in Europe. The combination of large individual size and 'domestic' mtDNA suggest, if inconclusively, that the Early Medieval fourth sample from Vyšehrad could potentially represent an aurochs/domestic cattle hybrid.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0215950