Archaeogenetics and Cultural Identity: Genomic Evidence in Tracing Human Migration, Intermarriage, and Cultural Transmission

Abstract

The emergence of archaeogenetics as a discipline has fundamentally transformed our understanding of human migration patterns, cultural transmission, and identity formation throughout prehistory and history. This paper examines how genomic evidence illuminates the complex relationships between genetic ancestry, cultural practices, and identity construction across diverse temporal and geographical contexts. Through analysis of ancient DNA studies, population genomics, and archaeological correlations, this research demonstrates that cultural identity formation involves intricate processes of migration, intermarriage, and selective cultural transmission that cannot be reduced to simple genetic determinism. The evidence reveals that while genetic admixture often accompanies cultural change, the relationship between biological ancestry and cultural identity remains complex and contextually dependent. These findings have profound implications for contemporary debates about ethnicity, nationalism, and cultural authenticity, suggesting that modern identity categories often oversimplify the dynamic, interconnected nature of human cultural and biological heritage.