Pushing it back. Dating the CCR5–32 bp deletion to the Mesolithic in Sweden and its implications for the Meso\Neo transition

Authors

  • Kerstin Lidén Archaeological Research laboratory, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm
  • Anna Linderholm Archaeological Research laboratory, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm
  • Anders Götherström Department of Evolutionary Biology, Norbyvägen 18D, 751 05 Uppsala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4312/dp.33.5

Keywords:

CCR5–Δ32, Bubonic plague, Smallpox, Mesolithic, Neolithic

Abstract

Genetic variation in the chemokine receptor gene CCR5 has received considerable scientific interest during the last few years. Protection against HIV-infection and AIDS, together with specific geographic distribution are the major reasons for the great interest in CCR5 32bp deletion. The event for the occurrence of this mutation has been postulated by coalescence dating to the 14th century, or 5000 BP. In our prehistoric Swedish samples we show that the frequency of 32pb deletion in CCR5 in the Neolithic population does not deviate from the frequency in a modern Swedish population, and that the deletion existed in Sweden already during the Mesolithic period.

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Published

31.12.2006

How to Cite

Lidén, K., Linderholm, A., & Götherström, A. (2006). Pushing it back. Dating the CCR5–32 bp deletion to the Mesolithic in Sweden and its implications for the Meso\Neo transition. Documenta Praehistorica, 33, 29–37. https://doi.org/10.4312/dp.33.5

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Section

Articles