Genes, language, and culture: an example from the tarim basin

摘要: Summary. The Tarim Basin ‘mummies’ of western China continue to fascinate scholars and the general public alike due their ‘Caucasoid’ features, wellpreserved material culture, putative ‘European’ origins. However, there have been some uncritical efforts link these archaeological cultures those other ancient Eurasian groups (e.g. Celts) by applying syllogistic reasoning multi-disciplinary evidence. In an attempt provide a more cautious synthesis prehistory Basin, this paper will briefly summarize archaeological, physical, linguistic evidence that has used model human settlement region. These data then be related recent molecular anthropology research on modern populations Central Asia, focusing especially Uighur in relation neighbours. While genetic history peoples particular region is not necessarily prehistoric antecedents, it argued experienced surprising cultural biological continuity despite immigration from both east west into Xinjiang Province. This conclusion number possible political ramifications present day must addressed future literature subject.