The genetic history of Portugal over the past 5,000 years

AI interpretationAI-generated

67 ancient Portuguese genomes trace 5,000 years of migration and local continuity.

This study analyzes 67 ancient individuals from Portugal, spanning the Neolithic to the 19th century. It reveals early mixing between local hunter-gatherers and Anatolian farmers, a north-south gradient in Magdalenian ancestry, and the first appearance of Steppe ancestry during the Bell Beaker period. Roman Idanha-a-Velha was a diverse hub with North African and Eastern Mediterranean influences. Medieval times saw Central European, African, and Mediterranean admixtures, with lasting African ancestry in southern Portugal.

• Neolithic Portugal shows early admixture between local hunter-gatherers and Anatolian farmers, with a north-south gradient of Magdalenian ancestry.
• Steppe-related ancestry first appears in Bell Beaker sites and spreads widely in the Bronze Age, despite local Chalcolithic continuity.
• Roman Idanha-a-Velha was a major migration hub with diverse ancestries, and medieval Islamic period brought additional African admixture to southern Portugal.

Sample interpretation

The site samples include 44 individuals, with 21 resolved Y-haplogroups. The most common Y-haplogroup is R-M269 (2 samples), followed by several singletons like E-CTS4231, R-PF2462, J-S18910, and I-L160. Mitochondrial DNA shows H1 (4 samples) and H6a1b2 (3 samples) as most frequent, plus T2b19b, H1a, H1a1, and L1b1a2. These lineages reflect a mix of European, Near Eastern, and African origins, consistent with the paper's findings of diverse migrations.

For genealogy enthusiasts

For ancestry enthusiasts, this study highlights Portugal as a crossroads of ancient migrations, with local continuity and dynamic admixture. It shows how genetic data can trace historical events like Roman and Islamic influences, enriching our understanding of Iberian heritage.