The Beaker phenomenon and the genomic transformation of northwest Europe

From around 2750 to 2500 bc, Bell Beaker pottery became widespread across western and central Europe, before it disappeared between 2200 and 1800 bc. The forces that propelled its expansion are a matter of long-standing debate, and there is support for both cultural diffusion and migration having a role in this process. Here we present genome-wide data from 400 Neolithic, Copper Age and Bronze Age Europeans, including 226 individuals associated with Beaker-complex artefacts. We detected limited genetic affinity between Beaker-complex-associated individuals from Iberia and central Europe, and thus exclude migration as an important mechanism of spread between these two regions. However, migration had a key role in the further dissemination of the Beaker complex. We document this phenomenon most clearly in Britain, where the spread of the Beaker complex introduced high levels of steppe-related ancestry and was associated with the replacement of approximately 90% of Britain’s gene pool within a few hundred years, continuing the east-to-west expansion that had brought steppe-related ancestry into central and northern Europe over the previous centuries

Author Correction: The Anglo-Saxon migration and the formation of the early English gene pool.

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The Anglo-Saxon migration and the formation of the early English gene pool.

The history of the British Isles and Ireland is characterized by multiple periods of major cultural change, including the influential transformation after the end of Roman rule, which precipitated shifts in language, settlement patterns and material culture1. The extent to which migration from continental Europe mediated these transitions is a matter of long-standing debate2-4. Here we study genome-wide ancient DNA from 460 medieval northwestern Europeans-including 278 individuals from England-alongside archaeological data, to infer contemporary population dynamics. We identify a substantial increase of continental northern European ancestry in early medieval England, which is closely related to the early medieval and present-day inhabitants of Germany and Denmark, implying large-scale substantial migration across the North Sea into Britain during the Early Middle Ages. As a result, the individuals who we analysed from eastern England derived up to 76% of their ancestry from the continental North Sea zone, albeit with substantial regional variation and heterogeneity within sites. We show that women with immigrant ancestry were more often furnished with grave goods than women with local ancestry, whereas men with weapons were as likely not to be of immigrant ancestry. A comparison with present-day Britain indicates that subsequent demographic events reduced the fraction of continental northern European ancestry while introducing further ancestry components into the English gene pool, including substantial southwestern European ancestry most closely related to that seen in Iron Age France5,6

The Anglo-Saxon migration and the formation of the early English gene pool

The history of the British Isles and Ireland is characterized by multiple periods of major cultural change, including the influential transformation after the end of Roman rule, which precipitated shifts in language, settlement patterns and material culture1. The extent to which migration from continental Europe mediated these transitions is a matter of long-standing debate2,3,4. Here we study genome-wide ancient DNA from 460 medieval northwestern Europeans—including 278 individuals from England—alongside archaeological data, to infer contemporary population dynamics. We identify a substantial increase of continental northern European ancestry in early medieval England, which is closely related to the early medieval and present-day inhabitants of Germany and Denmark, implying large-scale substantial migration across the North Sea into Britain during the Early Middle Ages. As a result, the individuals who we analysed from eastern England derived up to 76% of their ancestry from the continental North Sea zone, albeit with substantial regional variation and heterogeneity within sites. We show that women with immigrant ancestry were more often furnished with grave goods than women with local ancestry, whereas men with weapons were as likely not to be of immigrant ancestry. A comparison with present-day Britain indicates that subsequent demographic events reduced the fraction of continental northern European ancestry while introducing further ancestry components into the English gene pool, including substantial southwestern European ancestry most closely related to that seen in Iron Age France5,6

An Archaeological Investogation of Test Pits in the Churchyard of St. Kyneburgha, Castor

Three test pits were excavated between the 8th and the 10th of November along the proposed line of a service trench in the churchyard of St Kyneburgha, Castor (TL12435 98543). The trench measuring c. 25m is to run almost due north from the recently constructed Benefice Centre to Church Hill. The three test pits along the proposed line of the service trench show that this corner of the churchyard is extremely disturbed. There are not only Post Medieval graves, but the deposits through which they cut appear to be levelling dumps containing a mix of Roman, Saxo-Norman, Medieval and Post Medieval material. These earlier deposits may derive from the partial destruction of Roman buildings to the immediate north and east in the early 19th century. Whilst no early in-situ archaeology was recognised in the test pits there is still the possibility, particularly closer to Church Hill, at the present churchyard boundary that undisturbed archaeology could be encountered

An Archaeological Evaluation at Heathfields Estate, near Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire

An archaeological evaluation was conducted on land adjoining the Heathfields Estate, near Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire. A series of test pits and trenches were excavated over a c. 2ha. field. The results of the sampling strategy revealed a low background density of flint, however a concentration of worked and burnt pieces was uncovered at the north-west end of the field. This spread appeared to have been cut by a later Neolithic pit filled with highly decorated sherds of pottery derived from six or seven vessels. A large linear ditch, running roughly east-west across the south- western corner of the site, was located in two of the test pits. No dateable material, other than a small number of undiagnostic flints, was recovered from the feature leaving a conclusive date uncertain. Comparison with similar features elsewhere may suggest that it pre-dated the medieval period. Several brick foundations and services were revealed. These related to part of the domestic area of the Airfield, demolished in the 1970s

Archaeological Investigations at 11 Park Street, Cambridge

Two adult inhumations, one buried with a neonate were excavated in the basement of 11 Park Street, Cambridge. In addition, disarticulated skeletal material from a minimum of five neonates and a subadult were recovered. Two Roman ditches were also identified. The burials date to the Roman period and are very likely to be part of, and contemporary with, the late Roman cemetery recently identified nearby in the basements of nos. 35-37 Jesus Lane

Excavation of an Early / Middle Saxon Cemetary at King's Garden Hostel, Cambridge

An archaeological excavation was undertaken by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit on land next to King's Garden Hostel, West Road, Cambridge. This work was commissioned by King's College in advance of a proposed extension to the Hostel. Twenty-one Saxon burials, believed to date to the 7th century, and representing the largest group of this period to be excavated in Cambridge since the end of the 19th century, were identified and recorded. The burial group comprised of both male and female adults and immature individuals. The orientations of the graves and the positions of the bodies were diverse. The group included a double burial, two prone burials and burials with accompanying grave goods. Several of the graves had been disturbed by early ploughing. A deep headland which accumulated over the graveyard in the Medieval period, and was perhaps utilised as a causeway/trackway, was identified