At a glance
- When
- the Inca Empire, about 1400 to 1532 CE
- Where
- the Andes, from Ecuador to central Chile, centred on Cusco
- Entries in our catalogue
- 50 (45 individual genomes)
- Countries of the finds
- 2
What ancient DNA shows
A 2020 study in Cell of individuals from across the Andes found that the main genetic differences between Andean regions were already in place around two thousand years ago, long before the Inca, and persisted through the rise and fall of later states.
Within that stable background, Inca period sites show people moved over long distances. A 2023 study of individuals buried at Machu Picchu found that the royal estate's workforce came from across the empire and beyond, including the Amazon, and formed families with each other there.
Their genetic legacy today
Present-day Quechua and Aymara speakers and other Andean peoples share deep ancestry with the people of the Inca period, alongside later European and African admixture.
Inca samples in the MYDNATLAS catalogue
Our ancient DNA catalogue holds 50 entries whose culture label names the Inca. 45 of them are individual genomes; the others are reference entries, such as averages of several individuals, and samples flagged as outliers. Half of the 50 dated entries fall between 1,450 CE and 1,531 CE, with a median of 1,474 CE.
Where they were found
| Country | Entries |
|---|---|
| Peru | 47 |
| Argentina | 3 |
Most common labels
| Label | Entries |
|---|---|
| Inca (Peru) | 23 |
| Inca (Late Horizon) | 22 |
| Inca (Argentina) | 3 |
| Late Horizon (Inca), Cusco Valley | 2 |
Measured from the live catalogue on 2026-10-17. Dates are those recorded for each entry; the archaeological dates of the culture are given above. See our data sources for where the samples come from.
Compare your DNA with the Inca
To see how close you sit to Inca samples, you need your DNA as G25 coordinates. Download your raw data file from your testing company, convert it, and MYDNATLAS compares your coordinates with these entries and the rest of the catalogue, period by period, in its closest population and mixture tools.
- Download your raw DNA file: step by step for each testing company.
- Upload it from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage or FamilyTreeDNA, or another supported provider.
- Explore the results with the period by period breakdown and closest populations.
Start free: browse the Population Encyclopedia. The Population Encyclopedia is free to browse with a free account; analysing your own DNA needs a paid plan.
Questions
How many Inca samples does MYDNATLAS hold?
Our ancient DNA catalogue holds 50 entries labelled as Inca, of which 45 are individual genomes; the rest are reference entries such as group averages, and flagged outliers. Figures measured 2026-10-17.
Where were the Inca samples found?
They come from 2 countries, most often Peru and Argentina. Half of the dated entries fall between 1,450 CE and 1,531 CE.
Did the Inca change the genetics of the Andes?
Only locally. The broad genetic regions of the Andes predate the Inca, but Inca resettlement policies brought people from different regions together at sites such as Machu Picchu.