Abstract

Human societies exhibit a vast diversity of kinship systems, with different rules of descent, residence and alliance. Despite this variation, patrilineal systems appear to be predominant. In this presentation, I will show how DNA can shed light on the origin of patrilineality in humans. I will present the results from fieldwork conducted in Central Asia and Southeast Asia that allowed us to characterize the genetic signatures left by different descent systems. I will show that it is likely that patrilineal segmentary descent systems (in which lineages regularly segment into sub-lineages) emerged in different parts of the world at the end of the Neolithic and drastically reduced the genetic diversity of the Y chromosome, through the growth of certain lineages to the detriment of others.

Reference

Raphaëlle Chaix (Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, France), “DNA and the Post-Neolithic Rise of Patrilineal Systems in Humans”, IAST General Seminar, Toulouse: IAST, March 4, 2025, 11:30–12:30, room Auditorium 4 (First floor - TSE Building).