Papers by Ramaz Shengelia
Genetic diversity in <scp>S</scp> vaneti and its implications for the human settlement of the <scp>H</scp> ighland <scp>C</scp> aucasus
American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Oct 27, 2017
In this study, we characterized genetic diversity in the Svans from northwestern Georgia to bette... more In this study, we characterized genetic diversity in the Svans from northwestern Georgia to better understand the phylogeography of their genetic lineages, determine whether genetic diversity in the highland South Caucasus has been shaped by language or geography, and assess whether Svan genetic diversity was structured by regional residence patterns. We analyzed mtDNA and Y-chromosome variation in 184 individuals from 13 village districts and townlets located throughout the region. For all individuals, we analyzed mtDNA diversity through control region sequencing, and, for males, we analyzed Y-chromosome diversity through SNP and STR genotyping. The resulting data were compared with those for populations from the Caucasus and Middle East. We observed significant mtDNA heterogeneity in Svans, with haplogroups U1-U7, H, K, and W6 being common there. By contrast, ∼78% of Svan males belonged to haplogroup G2a, with the remainder falling into four other haplogroups (J2a1, I2, N, and R1a). While showing a distinct genetic profile, Svans also clustered with Caucasus populations speaking languages from different families, suggesting a deep common ancestry for all of them. The mtDNA data were not structured by geography or linguistic affiliation, whereas the NRY data were influenced only by geography. These patterns of genetic variation confirm a complex set of geographic sources and settlement phases for the Caucasus highlands. Such patterns may also reflect social and cultural practices in the region. The high frequency and antiquity of Y-chromosome haplogroup G2a in this region further points to its emergence there.
Genetic Diversity and Population History in Svaneti, Northwestern Georgia
The 84th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, St. Louis, MO, 2015
Discovery of unknown script signs in Georgia: The Bashplemi Lake tablet.
Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology
In 2021 a basalt tablet bearing an inscription in unknown script was discovered nearby Bashplemi ... more In 2021 a basalt tablet bearing an inscription in unknown script was discovered nearby Bashplemi Lake (Dmanisi municipality, Georgia). This book-sized tablet bears 60 signs, 39 of them are different. The archaeological context of the finding may be dated back to the Late Bronze/Early Iron Ages. The basalt seems to be of local origin, the signs have some similarities with over 20 ancient scripts from the Near East and Mediterranean.
In Georgia, numerous sites date back to the Bronze Age. Nearby Bashplemi Lake, the site of the di... more In Georgia, numerous sites date back to the Bronze Age. Nearby Bashplemi Lake, the site of the discovery of a basalt tablet bearing an inscription with unknown characters, is the site where the skull of a 1.8-million-year-old hominin, the first European, was discovered. This tablet, which bears 60 signs, 39 of them different, raises the question of the origin of the Georgian script, proto-Georgian. While the basalt on which it is based is known to be of local origin, its meaning is unknown and there remains a long way to go to decipher it. An initial comparative analysis conducted with over 20 languages shows that the characters, which could belong to an aboriginal Caucasian population, beside proto-Georgian and Albanian writing signs, bear some similarities with Semitic, Brahmani, and North Iberian characters.
In Georgia, numerous sites date back to the Bronze Age. Nearby Bashplemi Lake, the site of the di... more In Georgia, numerous sites date back to the Bronze Age. Nearby Bashplemi Lake, the site of the discovery of a basalt tablet bearing an inscription with unknown characters, is the site where the skull of a 1.8-million-year-old hominin, the first European, was discovered. This tablet, which bears 60 signs, 39 of them different, raises the question of the origin of the Georgian script, proto-Georgian. While the basalt on which it is based is known to be of local origin, its meaning is unknown and there remains a long way to go to decipher it. An initial comparative analysis conducted with over 20 languages shows that the characters, which could belong to an aboriginal Caucasian population, beside proto-Georgian and Albanian writing signs, bear some similarities with Semitic, Brahmani, and North Iberian characters.
The Genetic History of the South Caucasus from the Bronze to the Early Middle Ages: 5000 years of genetic continuity despite high mobility
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Jun 13, 2024
Genome Biology and Evolution
To elucidate the population history of the Caucasus, we conducted a survey of genetic diversity i... more To elucidate the population history of the Caucasus, we conducted a survey of genetic diversity in Samegrelo (Mingrelia), western Georgia. We collected DNA samples and genealogical information from 485 individuals residing in 30 different locations, the vast majority of whom being Mingrelian-speaking. From these DNA samples, we generated mtDNA control region sequences for all 485 participants (female and male), Y-STR haplotypes for the 372 male participants, and analyzed all samples at nearly 590,000 autosomal SNPs plus around 33,000 on the sex chromosomes, with 27,000 SNP removed for missingness, using the GenoChip 2.0+ microarray. The resulting data were compared with those from populations from Anatolia, the Caucasus, the Near East, and Europe. Overall, Mingrelians exhibited considerable mtDNA haplogroup diversity, having high frequencies of common West Eurasian haplogroups (H, HV, I, J, K, N1, R1, R2, T, U, W. X2), as well as low frequencies of East Eurasian haplogroups (A, C, D...
A new approach towards the study of the History of Medicine
Asklepii : bolgaro-sovetskii ezhegodnik istorii i teorii meditsiny
International journal of geriatric psychiatry, Jan 30, 2014
Colocation of mental health screening, assessment, and treatment in primary care reduces stigma, ... more Colocation of mental health screening, assessment, and treatment in primary care reduces stigma, improves access, and increases coordination of care between mental health and primary care providers. However, little information exists regarding older adults' attitudes about screening for mental health problems in primary care. The objective of this study was to evaluate older primary care patients' acceptance of and satisfaction with screening for depression and anxiety. The study was conducted at an urban, academically affiliated primary care practice serving older adults. Study patients (N = 107) were screened for depression/anxiety and underwent a post-screening survey/interview to assess their reactions to the screening experience. Most patients (88.6%) found the length of the screening to be "just right." A majority found the screening questions somewhat or very acceptable (73.4%) and not at all difficult (81.9%). Most participants did not find the questions st...
Aspects of aging in georgian traditional medicine
Georgian medical news, 2005
The goal of the investigation was studying Georgian medicinal manuscripts of X-XVIII centuries in... more The goal of the investigation was studying Georgian medicinal manuscripts of X-XVIII centuries in order to find out ideas of ancient authors regarding peculiarities of healthy lifestyle from the moment of birth till the elderly age. Results of analysis of Georgian medieval medicinal manuscripts allow us to conclude, that Caucasian longevity is determined not only by genetic, ecological, social and hygiene factors, but also by rational diet, proper treatment, remedies of plant origin and healthy lifestyle, existing in Caucasian cultural anthropology. Original schemes of diets and recipes, based on humoral theory and balanced by main characteristics of natural material are described.
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in human mobility patterns in Holocene Southwest Asia and the East Mediterranean
Current Biology
...
Mo-P1:87 Social-economical and behavioral factors in Georgian gerontologic population
Atherosclerosis Supplements, 2006
Pharmaceuticals, Aug 17, 2022
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Journal of Clinical Research & Bioethics, 2015
Impact of Orthodox Christian Faith and Spirituality on Society's Mental Health (Based on the Population Survey of Tbilisi, Georgia)
Georgian medical news, 2017
Research of mental health related factors has become increasingly important on a global scale. Th... more Research of mental health related factors has become increasingly important on a global scale. The study is intended to uncover the relationship between a depression and a religion (Orthodox Christianity) - case of Tbilisi population. The research objectives are screening and measurement of a depression using Beck Depression Inventory; describing general statistics with correlation to demographics; revealing factors carrying significant connections with depression, distinguishing their role and place in the forming process of depression general indicator; researching religiosity as one of the hypothetical factors; analyzing the results of relationships between depression and religiousness. General Population: 18+ Tbilisi inhabitants; sample size - 500 completed interviews; method of sampling - stratified cluster sampling. Despite hard socio-economic background of Tbilisi population, low depression level was observed. The central trend of depression gravity level is ranging between h...
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Ancient lineages: Reconstructing the Genetic History of Svaneti, Northwest Georgia
Expedition: The magazine of the University of Pennsylvania, 2017
Mental Health and Religion: Interrelation and Challenges in Post-Soviet Georgia
Georgian medical news, 2019
Anxiety and depression syndrome (STD) are at the forefront of the world mental health priority li... more Anxiety and depression syndrome (STD) are at the forefront of the world mental health priority list. To address this problem, a number of instruments and programs have been developed at both the global and national levels. STD is associated with a socio-political problem and correlates with external or internal instability in the country. In such circumstances, a special place is given to religion. The role of the Church, faith is important in low-or middle-income countries and depends on the authority of the Church as an institution, its activities and activity. At the final stage of the study the recommendations are presented.
Bioarchaeological research development in Georgia: steps, peculiarities, directions
Georgian medical news, 2012
In Georgia, Bioarcheology in its broad sense started developing with the research in Paleoanthrop... more In Georgia, Bioarcheology in its broad sense started developing with the research in Paleoanthropology and Paleopathology. Paleoanthropology initially developed in line with Archaeology. The study of biomaterial through the angle of paleopathology started in 1956. Later works were devoted to Ethnogenesis, comparative Anthropology, spreading physiological stresses and other issues. In recent years newly discovered rich archeological materials and introduction of the modern methods of research has outlined new prospects, and our decision is to put them in to action. From our point of view the research methods and aims of Bioarchaeology include: 1. morphological study of biomaterial on the macroscopic level. 2. The research through chemical methods which gives us an opportunity to outline many parameters of life such as eating habits, the aspects of interrelation with the environment and metabolic processes through the spectrum analysis of main ingredients of material. The important pa...
Vesalius : acta internationales historiae medicinae, 2000
Georgian medicine as well as the whole culture of Georgia, is one of the oldest in the world. In ... more Georgian medicine as well as the whole culture of Georgia, is one of the oldest in the world. In more than the 500 medical manuscripts preserved and since described, there are traces of Sumerian medicine. Examples of Chinese, Indian and especially Arabic medicine are also clearly seen. At the same time close relationships with Graeco-Roman medical traditions are beyond doubt. Nursing homes established by Georgian healers, many of whom were canonized by the Orthodox Church are to be found in many churches and monasteries all over the world. They gave fruitful scientific research and practical help.
Uploads
Papers by Ramaz Shengelia