A reanalysis of population dynamics in the Casas Grandes region of Northern Mexico using mitochondrial DNA

A reanalysis of mitochondrial DNA from 114 individuals interred at Casas Grandes sites reveals that low levels of migration occurred diachronically, challenging the long-standing assumption that large-scale population replacement drove the rise of Paquimé in the 13th century A.D. While these findings suggest limited widescale migration, they may still explain hybridized cultural practices observed in the region. The study compares full mitogenomes from earlier (A.D. 700-1200) and later (A.D. 1200-1450) time periods to test migration hypotheses, providing new insights into population dynamics in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Snow, M., Searcy, M. T., Summers, R., Blohm, T., Hazelwood, L., McDonald, H., Jensen, S. J., & Punzo-Díaz, J. L. (2025). A reanalysis of population dynamics in the Casas Grandes region of Northern Mexico using mitochondrial DNA. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122(38). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2506162122