进行古代野生动物遗存的研究，有助于我们了解古代居民的饮食结构、狩猎活动、经济模式等问题，在此基础上应用古 DNA 技术，则有利于区分家养动物与野生动物。本研究对中国西北地区长宁、磨沟、泉护村、打石沟 4 个遗址的 9 例形态学鉴定为“绵羊”或“山羊”的动物样本进行古 DNA 研究，通过古 DNA 提取、建库和高通量测序，成功获得了这 9 例样本的线粒体全基因组序列。根据比对分析、系统发育分析、主成分分析和遗传距离计算，鉴定出这些样本分别为牛科和鹿科动物下的 4 个不同野生种属，说明古 DNA 技术可以弥补形态学在鉴定动物遗存方面的不足。结合 4 个遗址的相关资料，从分子角度证实了中国西北地区史前时期先民在肉食来源、殉葬和骨器原料等方面，普遍存在将野生动物作为动物资源的补充的情况。

The Silk Road, an ancient trade route connecting China with the West, facilitated the exchanges of goods, ideas, and cultural practices among diverse civilizations. The Sogdians were prominent merchants along the Silk Road, renowned for their roles as traders, artisans, and entertainers.

Through comparisons with other dogs from surrounding regions, we found that both northern Eurasia and southern East Asia dogs may have influenced the maternal genetic heritage of dogs in North China. This finding sheds light on the social context behind dog domestication, specifically the trade and exchanges between populations in the north and south.

Furthermore, this study confirms that ancient Chinese goats had contributed genetically to the modern goats of China, and that the Chinese goats are genetically related to goats in South and Southeast Asia. Mitochondrial genome analysis of ancient Chinese goats not only provides an important resource for future analyses and research, but also offers new perspectives for the origin and diffusion of domestic goats.

In addition, as suggested by historical documents and archaeological studies, it is evident that the reverence for deer within the Tuoba Xianbei population had become a significant element of their culture and belief system. The identification of Cervus canadensis species in this study serves as evidence of the Northern Wei Emperor’s utilization of totem animals as sacrificial offerings to heaven.

To establish a precise spatiotemporal framework for the genetic history of ancient dogs in China, this study conducted mitochondrial genome analysis on 110 samples obtained from five archaeological sites in the northeastern region of China, spanning from the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age.

By combining the available genomes in the literature, we assemble a database that covers almost the entire period of Xianbei as well as samples pre- and post-dating them, allowing us to set the Xianbei in a temporal context. By combining the available genomes in the literature, we assemble a database that covers almost the entire period of Xianbei as well as samples pre- and post-dating them, allowing us to set the Xianbei in a temporal context. By combining the available genomes in the literature, we assemble a database that covers almost the entire period of Xianbei as well as samples pre- and post-dating them, allowing us to set the Xianbei in a temporal context. By combining the available genomes in the literature, we assemble a database that covers almost the entire period of Xianbei as well as samples pre- and post-dating them, allowing us to set the Xianbei in a temporal context.