Genetic population structure of the Xiongnu Empire at imperial and local scales

The Xiongnu established the first nomadic imperial power, controlling the Eastern Eurasian steppe from ca. 200 BCE to 100 CE. Recent archaeogenetic studies identified extreme levels of genetic diversity across the empire, corroborating historical records of the Xiongnu Empire being multiethnic. However, it has remained unknown how this diversity was structured at the local community level or by sociopolitical status. To address this, we investigated aristocratic and local elite cemeteries at the western frontier of the empire. Analyzing genome-wide data from 18 individuals, we show that genetic diversity within these communities was comparable to the empire as a whole, and that high diversity was also observed within extended families. Genetic heteroge-neity was highest among the lowest-status individuals, implying diverse origins, while higher-status individuals harbored less genetic diversity, suggesting that elite status and power was concentrated within specific subsets of the broader Xiongnu population.

Automated summary

This study investigates aristocratic and local elite cemeteries at the western frontier of the Xiongnu Empire and finds that genetic diversity within these communities is comparable to the empire as a whole. The study also reveals high diversity within extended families. Lower-status individuals show the highest genetic heterogeneity, implying diverse origins, while higher-status individuals have less genetic diversity, suggesting concentration of elite status and power within specific subsets of the broader Xiongnu population.