Social stratification without genetic differentiation at the site of Kulubnarti in Christian Period Nubia

PRJEB42975 Original Paper / DOI2021-12-1466 samples (study)

AI interpretationAI-generated

Ancient DNA from Christian Nubia shows social class without genetic difference.

Researchers sequenced 66 ancient individuals from two cemeteries at Kulubnarti, a Christian Period Nubian site (about 650-1000 CE). Despite evidence of social stratification, the two cemetery groups were genetically similar. Their ancestry was about 43% Nilotic-related, with the rest linked to ancient Levantine populations via Egypt. Interestingly, West Eurasian ancestry was more often passed down through women. Seven pairs of relatives were found across cemeteries, showing movement between groups. Modern Nubians are not direct descendants, meaning later migrations added more genetic input.

The two cemeteries at Kulubnarti show social division but no genetic distinction.
Kulubnarti Nubians had ~43% Nilotic-related ancestry and ~57% West Eurasian-related ancestry from the Levant via Egypt.
West Eurasian-related ancestry was disproportionately female-associated, and seven inter-cemetery relative pairs suggest fluidity between groups.

Sample interpretation

The study analyzed 67 samples from Kulubnarti, with 66 from site R169 and one from R124. Y-chromosome haplogroups were resolved for 31 males, dominated by E-BY8607 (4), J-M92 (3), and E-BY7923 (2). Mitochondrial DNA was mostly L2a1d1 (15), H2a (14), and U5b2b5 (10). This mix reflects both African (L lineages) and West Eurasian (H, U5) maternal roots, matching the genome-wide pattern of mixed ancestry with a female bias in West Eurasian input.

For genealogy enthusiasts

For ancestry enthusiasts, this shows that social class does not always mean genetic separation. It also highlights how ancient Nubians were a genetic mix of Nilotic and Levantine-related peoples, with women playing a key role in bringing West Eurasian ancestry. Modern Nubians have since received additional genetic input, so they are not direct descendants of this ancient population.

Abstract

Relatively little is known about Nubia’s genetic landscape prior to the influence of the Islamic migrations that began in the late 1st millennium CE. Here, we increase the number of ancient individuals with genome-level data from the Nile Valley from three to 69, reporting data for 66 individuals from two cemeteries at the Christian Period (~650–1000 CE) site of Kulubnarti, where multiple lines of evidence suggest social stratification. The Kulubnarti Nubians had ~43% Nilotic-related ancestry (individual variation between ~36–54%) with the remaining ancestry consistent with being introduced through Egypt and ultimately deriving from an ancestry pool like that found in the Bronze and Iron Age Levant. The Kulubnarti gene pool – shaped over a millennium – harbors disproportionately female-associated West Eurasian-related ancestry. Genetic similarity among individuals from the two cemeteries supports a hypothesis of social division without genetic distinction. Seven pairs of inter-cemetery relatives suggest fluidity between cemetery groups. Present-day Nubians are not directly descended from the Kulubnarti Nubians, attesting to additional genetic input since the Christian Period.

Samples & Data on TheYtree

67samples on site

31Y haplogroup resolved

2archaeological sites

Sample Map

Map tiles by TheYtree · dot size = number of samples

Paternal (Y-DNA) Haplogroups

Haplogroup	Samples
E-BY8607	4
J-M92	3
E-BY7923	2
E-M35	2
G-PF3331	2
T-P77	1
E-CTS4231	1
E-GG24	1
J-PF4845	1
R-FGC18147	1
E-M250	1
E-V6	1

Maternal (mtDNA) Haplogroups

L2a1d1 · 15 H2a · 14 U5b2b5 · 10 L0a1a1 · 5 L5a1b · 4 N1b1a2 · 3 L1b1a2a · 3 J2a2e · 2 K1a19 · 2 R0a1a · 1

Sample Highlights More samples →

Sample	Y-DNA	mtDNA	Culture / Period
I6138	E-GG24	H2a	Christian Period Nubia· 1270±22 BP
I6139	E-Y20282	K1a19	Christian Period Nubia· 1270±22 BP
I19014	E-M35	H2a	Christian Period Nubia· 650-1000 CE
I19015	E-V5812	U5b2b5	Christian Period Nubia· 650-1000 CE
I19132	E-L539	H2a	Christian Period Nubia· 650-1000 CE
I6331	E-V6	H2a	Christian Period Nubia· 1210±22 BP
I19138	E-BY8607	L3b1a2	Christian Period Nubia· 650-1000 CE
I19143	E-CTS4231	L2a1d1	Christian Period Nubia· 650-1000 CE
I6340	T-Y31477	U5b2b5	Christian Period Nubia· 1170±22 BP
I6252	E-BY8607	H2a	Christian Period Nubia· 1230±22 BP