Ancient DNA analysis of elite nomadic warrior from Chinge-Tey I funerary commemorative complex in the “Valley of the Kings”, Tuva

(1) Generating the third wide-genome of the enabled us to undertake its comparison with two other genomes of Aldy-Bel culture representatives (Arzhan-2, graves 14 and 22) and with other Bronze and Early Iron Age population groups in Asia to trace the origin and genetic connection of Aldy-Bel population, representing one of the earliest Scythian-type nomadic group. (2) The results obtained show that the princely individual from Chinge-Tey I and two 'king's associates' from Arzhan-2 were genetically close to nomads of simultaneous Tasmola culture in Eastern and Central Kazakhstan and pastoralists buried in the Early Iron Age cemeteries of present-day Xinjiang (first of all, Abusanteer archaeological site). Aldy-Bel culture representatives appeared also close to individuals of the Middle Bronze Age Okunevo culture in the Minusinsk Basin. Besides, Aldy-Bel pastoralists turned out genetically close to nomads of the subsequent Uyuk-Sagly culture in Mongolia (5th - 3rd centuries BC). (3) Ancient DNA kinship analyses, undertaken for three Aldy-Bel culture individuals pointed out to the absence of their tribe kinship. (4) On the other hand, Chinge-Tey warrior's mitochondrial haplogroup G was previously described in two (graves 14 and 5) individuals from Arzhan-2, including a female individual from the "royal" tomb 5. This result provided a possibility of maternal kinship among this so called 'queen' from Arzhan-2 and the princely person from Chinge-Tey I. This possibility supported a hypothesis of their family ties suggested on archaeological materials. Y-chromosome haplogroup Q1b1, revealed for the princely person, was widely distributed among local people of Aldy-Bel and subsequent Uyuk-Sagly cultures.