Cultural Effects on Phenetic Distances Among Postclassic Mexican and Southwest United States Populations

A study of Postclassic period populations (900–1520 CE) in the Southwest United States and Mesoamerica reveals that trade and shared migration history significantly shaped biological relationships, overriding geographic distances. Using dental morphological traits to measure phenetic distances, researchers found strong correlations between these cultural factors and genetic affinities, even when controlling for geography. Trade (correlation = 0.223) and migration history (correlation = 0.493) remained statistically significant, suggesting that economic exchange and movement of people played pivotal roles in population connectivity across regions traditionally seen as distinct. Political interactions, however, did not show a significant impact on biological relationships.

Ragsdale, C. S., & Edgar, H. J. H. (2014). Cultural Effects on Phenetic Distances Among Postclassic Mexican and Southwest United States Populations. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 26(1), 53–67. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.2394