The autosomal DNA — the genome contained in the paired chromosomes in the cell nucleus, inherited from both parents — provided the main source of evidence for population-level ancestry relationships.

The mitochondrial DNA — the small circular genome found in the mitochondria, inherited exclusively through the maternal line — provided information about MA-1’s maternal ancestry.

The Y-chromosome DNA — the sex chromosome found only in biological males, inherited exclusively through the paternal line — confirmed MA-1’s biological sex and provided information about his paternal ancestry.

The mitochondrial analysis placed MA-1 in haplogroup U, specifically within a lineage known as U*, which at the time of the study’s publication represented a pattern not found among modern East Asian populations but found among some populations of western Eurasia and their relatives.

The Y-chromosome analysis placed MA-1 in haplogroup R*, a lineage found today in highest frequencies in populations of western Eurasia.