Dynamic changes in genomic and social structures in third millennium BCE central Europe

Europe’s prehistory oversaw dynamic and complex interactions of diverse societies, hitherto unexplored at detailed regional scales. Studying 271 human genomes dated ~4900 to 1600 BCE from the European heartland, Bohemia, we reveal unprecedented genetic changes and social processes. Major migrations preceded the arrival of “steppe” ancestry, and at ~2800 BCE, three genetically and culturally differentiated groups coexisted. Corded Ware appeared by 2900 BCE, were initially genetically diverse, did not derive all steppe ancestry from known Yamnaya, and assimilated females of diverse backgrounds. Both Corded Ware and Bell Beaker groups underwent dynamic changes, involving sharp reductions and complete replacements of Y-chromosomal diversity at ~2600 and ~2400 BCE, respectively, the latter accompanied by increased Neolithic-like ancestry. The Bronze Age saw new social organization emerge amid a ≥40% population turnover.Introduction Results - General sample overview - Bohemia before Corded Ware (pre-CW, before ~2800 BCE) - Corded Ware - Bell Beaker - EBA—Únětice culture Discussion Materials and methods - Processing sites for the newly reported individuals - Sampling - DNA extraction - DNA libraries and in-solution capture - Sequencing - Sex determination and authentication - Genotyping - Mitochondrial and Y chromosome haplogroups - Principal components analysis - Ancestry decomposition and admixture modeling - Y haplogroup frequency simulation

The influence of mobility strategy on the modern human talus

Objectives The primate talus is known to have a shape that varies according to differences in locomotion and substrate use. While the modern human talus is morphologically specialized for bipedal walking, relatively little is known on how its morphology varies in relation to cultural and environmental differences across time. Here we compare tali of modern human populations with different subsistence economies and lifestyles to explore how cultural practices and environmental factors influence external talar shape. Materials and Methods The sample consists of digital models of 142 tali from 11 archaeological and post\u2010industrial modern human groups. Talar morphology was investigated through 3D (semi)landmark based geometric morphometric methods. Results Our results show distinct differences between highly mobile hunter\u2010gatherers and more sedentary groups belonging to a mixed post\u2010agricultural/industrial background. Hunter\u2010gatherers exhibit a more \u201cflexible\u201d talar shape, everted posture, and a more robust and medially oriented talar neck/head, which we interpret as reflecting long\u2010distance walking strictly performed barefoot, or wearing minimalistic footwear, along uneven ground. The talus of the post\u2010industrial population exhibits a \u201cstable\u201d profile, neutral posture, and a less robust and orthogonally oriented talar neck/head, which we interpret as a consequence of sedentary lifestyle and use of stiff footwear. Discussion We suggest that talar morphological variation is related to the adoption of constraining footwear in post\u2010industrial society, which reduces ankle range of motion. This contrasts with hunter\u2010gatherers, where talar shape shows a more flexible profile, likely resulting from a lack of footwear while traversing uneven terrain. We conclude that modern human tali vary with differences in locomotor and cultural behavior