Parallel palaeogenomic transects reveal complex genetic history of early European farmers

PRJEB22629 Original Paper / DOI2017-11-08139 samples (study)

AI interpretationAI-generated

Ancient DNA from 180 early European farmers reveals local, complex mixing with hunter-gatherers.

This study analyzed genome-wide ancient DNA from 180 Neolithic and Chalcolithic individuals across Hungary, Germany, and Spain. It found that early European farmers, descended from Anatolian migrants, mixed with local hunter-gatherers in varied ways. Genetic diversity was shaped mainly by local processes, with different sources and proportions of hunter-gatherer ancestry in each region and over time. Admixture was pervasive and caused population changes across almost all cultural transitions.

Genetic diversity was shaped predominantly by local processes, with varied hunter-gatherer ancestry among regions and through time.
Admixture between groups with different ancestry profiles was pervasive across the Neolithic.
Observable population transformation occurred across almost all cultural transitions.

Sample interpretation

The dataset includes 136 samples with 79 resolved Y-haplogroups. Top Y lineages are G-L30 (8), G-PF3148 (6), G-PF3147 (5), I-P220 (5), and I-P37 (4). Top mtDNA lineages are T2b (11), T2c1-T146C! (6), H (5), H26 (4), and K1a-T195C! (3). Cultures span LBK_EN (23), Iberia_CA (15), Baden_LCA (12), and others. The largest site is HAL40a (23).

For genealogy enthusiasts

For ancestry enthusiasts, this shows early European farmers were not a single homogeneous group. Their genetic makeup varied by region and time due to local mixing with hunter-gatherers, highlighting the complexity of Neolithic population history.

Abstract

Ancient DNA studies have established that Neolithic European populations were descended from Anatolian migrants1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 who received a limited amount of admixture from resident hunter-gatherers3,4,5,9. Many open questions remain, however, about the spatial and temporal dynamics of population interactions and admixture during the Neolithic period. Here we investigate the population dynamics of Neolithization across Europe using a high-resolution genome-wide ancient DNA dataset with a total of 180 samples, of which 130 are newly reported here, from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods of Hungary (6000–2900 BC, n = 100), Germany (5500–3000 BC, n = 42) and Spain (5500–2200 BC, n = 38). We find that genetic diversity was shaped predominantly by local processes, with varied sources and proportions of hunter-gatherer ancestry among the three regions and through time. Admixture between groups with different ancestry profiles was pervasive and resulted in observable population transformation across almost all cultural transitions. Our results shed new light on the ways in which gene flow reshaped European populations throughout the Neolithic period and demonstrate the potential of time-series-based sampling and modelling approaches to elucidate multiple dimensions of historical population interactions.

Samples & Data on TheYtree

136samples on site

79Y haplogroup resolved

52archaeological sites

Sample Map

Map tiles by TheYtree · dot size = number of samples

Paternal (Y-DNA) Haplogroups

Haplogroup	Samples
G-L30	8
G-PF3148	6
G-PF3147	5
I-P220	5
I-P37	4
H-P96	4
G-Y238	4
I-S21825	3
I-BY136048	3
H-FTA67514	2
I-CTS6414	2
I-L1287	2

Maternal (mtDNA) Haplogroups

T2b · 11 T2c1-T146C! · 6 H · 5 H26 · 4 K1a-T195C! · 3 T2b23 · 3 H3 · 3 J1c1 · 3 K1a4 · 3 N1a1a1 · 3

Sample Highlights More samples →

Sample	Y-DNA	mtDNA	Culture / Period
I5838	I-Y34538	K1a-T195C!	Iberia_CA· 2900-2346 BCE
I2395	G-L30	H26	Tiszapolgar_ECA· 4500-4000 BCE
I2789	I-BY136048	J1c	Protoboleraz_LCA· 3800-3600 BCE
I2384	I-BY136048	K1a	ALPc_III_MN· 5302-5057 calBCE
I3535	I-BY136048	J2b1	ALPc_III_MN· 5221-5000 calBCE
I1900	E-L618	W1-T119C	Lengyel_LN· 4796-4685 calBCE
I1976	I-P220	H3	Iberia_CA· 2571-2347 calBCE
I2473	I-P220	H3	Iberia_CA· 2916-2714 calBCE
I2356	G-L30	T2c1-T146C!	Tiszapolgar_ECA· 4500-4000 BCE
I1878	H-FTF141	T1a2	Starcevo_EN· 5832-5667 calBCE