Guardians of the Highlands: Xinjiang Yak herders

Select a profile (DNA file) from the list:
What's included in this test?
- This test provides powerful, innovative, and interactive DNA-based tools to help you find your ancient ancestors, trace your prehistoric lineages, and determine your ancient tribal origins.
- Find out how related you are to the Xinjiang Yak herders (3002-1958 BC). from these sites
- Receive a detailed breakdown of your ancient geographical origins, ancient ancestry maps showing where your ancestors lived and traveled, and your exact genetic similarity to each member of your ancient tribe.
- Compare your results with over 50 worldwide ancient and modern populations.
- After 60 centuries, you can reconnect with your Xinjiang ancestors at a deeper level than ever imagined.
- Help us to find out what happened to the Xinjiang people using the power of genetics.
- Meet the ancient Xinjiang – Their Story can be Your Story.
- Basic test includes 5 members.
- Advanced test includes 28 members.
About the test
This test traces your connection to early Bronze Age herding cultures of Xinjiang — pastoral pioneers who adapted to harsh climates, managed highland routes, and formed early links between Central Asia and China. These groups domesticated yaks, crafted early bronzeware, and may have served as intermediaries between Chinese and steppe civilizations long before the Silk Road began.
Sampled from:
- Xinjiang, Yili Region (Nileke County) — Highland herders at site G218, showing early yak domestication
- Xinjiang, Aletai (Altay) Region:
- Qinghe County, Chaganguole — revealing cultural exchanges with Eurasian steppes
- Jimunai (Jeminay) County, Songshugou — a rich Bronze Age burial zone
- Buerjin (Burqin) County, Bolati — associated with early metallurgy
- Habahe County (Ayituohan, Tuoganbai, and Habahe sites) — showing extended pastoral networks
- Xinjiang, Beifang — representing additional genetic diversity of early steppe herders
- Henan, Luohe (Haojiatai site) — included to test for eastern influence from Central Plains interaction
- Connections to ancient highland pastoralists who herded yaks and moved goods across the Altai and Tianshan mountains
- Your ties to early East-West Bronze Age exchanges before the Silk Road
- Whether your ancestry is linked to the hardy herding cultures that connected China, Mongolia, and Central Asia
- Direct comparison to ancient people remains from key artchologicla sites
- mtDNA and Y-DNA haplogroup comparisons
- Breakdown of your ancient DNA components
- Contextual historical insights
- People with ancestry from western China, Mongolia, or Central Asia
- Those interested in steppe cultures, Bronze Age trade, or yak domestication
- Explorers of early trans-Eurasian connectivity
Why take this test
Now, for the first time, you can reach beyond the living—directly into the past. Thanks to breakthroughs in paleogenomics, scientists have recovered and sequenced the DNA of real individuals who lived thousands of years ago. From Ice Age hunters and Bronze Age warriors to Roman citizens and medieval villagers, their genetic echoes are finally within your reach.
The Ancient DNA Hub test is the first and only DNA test that connects you not to modern ethnic labels, but to actual ancient populations. Using our proprietary technologies, we match your genome against thousands of real ancient genomes excavated across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This allows you to discover precisely which ancient peoples you descend from—and where and when they lived.
This test is for you if:
- You’ve taken other ancestry tests and still feel something is missing
- You want to go deeper, thousands of years deeper, into your lineage
- Your family stories were lost through time, migration, or trauma—and you want to reclaim them
- You suspect your ancestors may have been part of great migrations, battles, or empires—and you want proof
- You want to give your children and grandchildren a deeper connection to who they are
Reclaim your ancient past. Your story didn’t start in the last 500 years—it began with the first footsteps of your ancestors across continents. Let their DNA speak again—and let it speak to you.



