Diet, gender and rank

The archaeology of rank is in many respects the basis for the study of social organisation in ancient societies. Here burial data are considered as closely related to the social position in life. Rank-indicating features marking social position can then be correlated with biological features such as sex, age, kinship, pathological traits, and dietary data, which are possible to study with scientific methods. This study concerns seven boatgraves at Tuna, Alsike parish, Uppland, Sweden, dating to the Vendel and Viking Periods. Molecular sex identifications, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses, and trace element analysis were performed on human bones to gain information on the social structure of the population. No dietary hierarchy, and thus no gender differences, could be detected. However, since we now only have studied the upper stratum of the society, next study should concern the rest of the population. This is already underway since we believe this approach is fruitful for the study of archaeological rank and its implications

Recovery of DNA from Footprints in the Snow

The recovery of trace amounts of DNA has been demonstrated to be a reliable tool in conservation genetics and has become a key component of modern forensic casework. To date, genetic data have been successfully recovered from a variety of sources, including biological fluids, faeces, clothing, and even directly from fingerprints. However, to our knowledge and despite their widespread occurrence and clear potential as a source of DNA, genetic information has not previously been recovered directly from footprints. Here, we extract and amplify mitochondrial DNA from a snow footprint, <48-hours old, made by a Swedish Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus). Our results demonstrate that it is possible to recover sufficient DNA from recent footprints to accurately type the source of the print, with implications for conservation biology and forensic science

Aurochs, genetics, indigenous people and colonists: apropos of the neolithization of Europe

Las analíticas genéticas realizadas sobre los uros (Bos primigenius) del yacimiento de Mendandia (Treviño), han ofrecido un resultado sorprendente: uno de los individuos pertenece al haplotypo T3, generalmente asociado a animales domésticos (Bos taurus). La datación de la muestra (7265 ± 70 BP; Ua 34366) es acorde con las otras conocidas de su nivel, el III-superior, incidiendo en la antigüedad de su Neolítico. El dato es la excusa para reflexionar sobre el proceso neolitizador y adentrarnos en el debate sobre el papel que pudiera corresponder a los indígenas y a los colonos. Para ello se valora la información más actual sobre genética de las poblaciones del principio del Holoceno, las medias promediadas de la extensión por Europa del nuevo modo de vida, así como otros indicios de neolitización prematura. Un compendio de razones que nos lleva a pensar que estamos frente a un fenómeno cultural muy complejo

Cryptic Contamination and Phylogenetic Nonsense

Ancient human DNA has been treated cautiously ever since the problems related to this type of material were exposed in the early 1990s, but as sequential genetic data from ancient specimens have been key components in several evolutionary and ecological studies, interest in ancient human DNA is on the increase again. It is especially tempting to approach archaeological and anthropological questions through this type of material, but DNA from ancient human tissue is notoriously complicated to work with due to the risk of contamination with modern human DNA. Various ways of authenticating results based on ancient human DNA have been developed to circumvent the problems. One commonly used method is to predict what the contamination is expected to look like and then test whether the ancient human DNA fulfils this prediction. If it does, the results are rejected as contamination, while if it does not, they are often considered authentic. We show here that human contamination in ancient material may well deviate from local allele frequencies or the distributions to be found among the laboratory workers and archaeologists. We conclude that it is not reliable to authenticate ancient human DNA solely by showing that it is different from what would be expected from people who have handled the material

The food culture of the Iron Age nomadic elite from the ‘Valley of the Kings’ in Tuva : radiocarbon dating, stable carbon and nitrogen analysis of the Chinge Tey barrows (Turan-Uyuk Basin, Russia)

Strategie przetrwania eurazjatyckich populacji koczowniczych były szeroko badane w literaturze archeologicznej. 'Dolina Królów' w Tuwie (Rosja) zauroczyła archeologów obecnością wielu dużych kurhanów, zawierających bogato wyposażone grobowce elitarne koczowników, wodzów wojennych i arystokracji. Te monumentalne grobowce świadczą o powiązaniach między zmarłymi przywódcami, podkreślając sojusze między prehistorycznymi koczownikami Azji Centralnej. W niniejszej pracy badawczej prezentujemy kompleksowe datowanie radiowęglowe oraz dane izotopowe δ13C/δ15N z kurhanów Chinge Tey, które reprezentują miejsca pochówku 12 wysoko postawionych jednostek. Chronologiczna zgodność zarówno zabytków cmentarzyska Chinge Tey, jak i odniesienia do znalezisk w kurhanach Arzhan 1 i Arzhan 2, rzuca światło na ich kontekst historyczny. W przedstawionych badaniach zgłębiane są skomplikowane aspekty adaptacyjności ekologicznej, praktyk żywieniowych hodowców, hierarchii społecznych oraz rytuałów pogrzebowych koczowników. Analiza stabilnych izotopów węgla i azotu wskazuje na potencjalne związki między kurhanami w 'Dolinie Królów' a różnorodnymi kulturami koczowniczymi, sugerując, że nawyki żywieniowe wśród pobliskich populacji mogły wykazywać znaczącą zmienność.Subsistence strategies of Eurasian pastoral populations have been broadly studied in the archaeological literature. The 'Valley of the Kings' in Tuva, Russia, has captivated archaeologists with its remarkable collection of large burial mounds, containing lavishly equipped tombs of nomadic kings, warlords, and aristocracy. These barrows bear witness to the ancestral connections between the deceased leaders, highlighting the alliances among prehistoric nomads in Central Asia. In this research, we present comprehensive radiocarbon dating and δ13C/δ15N isotopic data from the Chinge Tey barrows, which represent the burial sites of 12 high-ranking individuals. The chronological alignment of both Chinge Tey monuments with the Arzhan 1 and Arzhan 2 reference frames sheds light on their historical context. This study delves into intricate aspects of ecological adaptability, pastoral food practices, social hierarchies, and nomadic mortuary rituals. Analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes indicates potential connections between the barrows in the 'Valley of the Kings' and diverse nomadic cultures, suggesting that dietary habits among neighboring populations may have exhibited significant variation.Die Subsistenzstrategien eurasischer pastoraler Populationen wurden umfassend in der archäologischen Literatur untersucht. Das 'Tal der Könige' in Tuwa, Russland, hat Archäologen mit seiner bemerkenswerten Sammlung großer Grabhügel fasziniert, die aufwändig ausgestattete Gräber von nomadischen Königen, Kriegsherren und der Aristokratie enthalten. Diese Hügelgräber zeugen von den ancestralischen Verbindungen zwischen den verstorbenen Anführern und betonen die Allianzen unter prähistorischen Nomaden in Zentralasien. In dieser Forschungsarbeit präsentieren wir umfassende Radiokarbondatierungen und δ13C/δ15N-Isotopendaten von den Chinge Tey Hügelgräbern, die die Begräbnisstätten von 12 hochrangigen Einzelpersonen repräsentieren. Die chronologische Übereinstimmung sowohl der Chinge Tey Monumente mit den Referenzrahmen von Arzhan 1 und Arzhan 2 wirft Licht auf ihren historischen Kontext. Diese Studie geht auf komplexe Aspekte der ökologischen Anpassungsfähigkeit, pastoralen Ernährungspraktiken, sozialen Hierarchien und nomadischen Bestattungsritualen ein. Die Analyse der stabilen Kohlenstoff- und Stickstoffisotope deutet auf mögliche Verbindungen zwischen den Grabhügeln im 'Tal der Könige' und verschiedenen nomadischen Kulturen hin und legt nahe, dass Ernährungsgewohnheiten unter benachbarten Populationen signifikante Variationen aufwiesen könnten

Björned – benanalyser och kulturhistoriska tolkningar: Undersökningar kring en nordsvensk begravningsplats från tidig medeltid

Björned – bone analysis and historical interpretations. Investigations of an early medieval burial place in northern Sweden By Leif Grundberg, Anders Götherström and Barbro Hårding In the small village called Björned in Torsåker parish, in the county of Ångermanland in northern Sweden, an early medieval cemetery was investigated. The investigation forms part of the Styresholm project, which involves the study of the area adjoining the lower part of the Ångermanälven river during the Middle Ages and the Iron Age. The Björned cemetery measures only c. 25×12 m. It is not mentioned in historical sources and nothing above the surface reveals that this is a cemetery. During the excavation more than fifty graves were identified, which all followed Christian burial customs. 14Canalyses of human bones suggest that the cemetery was used from the 10th century until the 13th century, although an adjoining settlement existed from the early Iron Age. Most of the bone material from the graves is well preserved and suitable for scientific investigation. The present study has been directed towards problems connected with the change of religion, the parish organisation, the family structure, the social organisation, and the power structures. These are topics that arise when the results from the excavation are compared with other ancient remains, existing churches, placenames and the topography of the region. The article presents the research in progress, including molecular analyses and studies of epigenetic traits. One of the main questions dealt with is whether Björned was a family cemetery. The anthropological analyses suggest that several individuals are closely related. This theory is supported by the molecular analyses. A Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat, DYS388, was extracted and amplified from some individuals from Björned. Alleles could be identified in six individuals. The composition of the alleles was such that the individuals could not be regarded as a sample of a Swedish population in a genetic sense. More likely they represent a sample drawn from a Same population or a Swedish family with a Same element. A short introduction is also given to further investigations that have started recently, including comparative studies of the Viking Age cemeteries at Björkå and Holm in Överlännäs parish. The importance of relating the results with a local and regional historical context is stressed in the article, which also deals with the early Christianisation, the Same influence and gender perspectives. Using medieval churches, Viking Age silver-hoards, and rich chamber-women graves as the point of departure, it is argued that Björned was situated in a settlement area of central importance. The centrality is thought to have been based on transit exchange and transport of products from the interior of Norrland

Barking up the wrong tree: Modern northern European dogs fail to explain their origin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Geographic distribution of the genetic diversity in domestic animals, particularly mitochondrial DNA, has often been used to infer centers of domestication. The underlying presumption is that phylogeographic patterns among domesticates were established during, or shortly after the domestication. Human activities are assumed not to have altered the haplogroup frequencies to any great extent. We studied this hypothesis by analyzing 24 mtDNA sequences in ancient Scandinavian dogs. Breeds originating in northern Europe are characterized by having a high frequency of mtDNA sequences belonging to a haplogroup rare in other populations (HgD). This has been suggested to indicate a possible origin of the haplogroup (perhaps even a separate domestication) in central or northern Europe.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The sequences observed in the ancient samples do not include the haplogroup indicative for northern European breeds (HgD). Instead, several of them correspond to haplogroups that are uncommon in the region today and that are supposed to have Asian origin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We find no evidence for local domestication. We conclude that interpretation of the processes responsible for current domestic haplogroup frequencies should be carried out with caution if based only on contemporary data. They do not only tell their own story, but also that of humans.</p

Aurochs, genetics, indigenous people and colonists: apropos of the neolithization of Europe

El presente trabajo se ha preparado en el seno de los intereses de los proyectos de investigación: HAR2011-26364 “Las Comunidades humanas de la alta Cuenca del Ebro en la Transición Pleistoceno-Holoceno” del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y CGL2009-12703-C03-03 “Geología, geocronología y paleobiología de los Yacimientos de la Sierra de Atapuerca” del Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia. Así mismo se encuadra en el trabajo del Grupo de Investigación en Prehistoria de la Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU) IT-288-07/ UFI 11-09.[ES] Las analíticas genéticas realizadas sobre los uros (Bos primigenius) del yacimiento de Mendandia (Treviño), han ofrecido un resultado sorprendente: uno de los individuos pertenece al haplotypo T3, generalmente asociado a animales domésticos (Bos taurus). La datación de la muestra (7265 ± 70 BP; Ua 34366) es acorde con las otras conocidas de su nivel, el III-superior, incidiendo en la antigüedad de su Neolítico. El dato es la excusa para reflexionar sobre el proceso neolitizador y adentrarnos en el debate sobre el papel que pudiera corresponder a los indígenas y a los colonos. Para ello se valora la información más actual sobre genética de las poblaciones del principio del Holoceno, las medias promediadas de la extensión por Europa del nuevo modo de vida, así como otros indicios de neolitización prematura. Un compendio de razones que nos lleva a pensar que estamos frente a un fenómeno cultural muy complejo.[EN] The mt-DNA analysis of auroch (Bos primigenius) bones from the site of Mendandia (Treviño), has produced a surprising result: one of the specimens has been identified with the genetic haplotype T3, the most common in European domestic cattle and generally considered unique (and indicative) of domestic livestock (Bos taurus). The direct radiocarbon dating of the sample (7265 ± 70 BP; Ua 34366) is consistent with the older Neolithic age of the level that yielded the sample (Level III-superior). This result is an opportunity to think about the process of Neolitization and enter into the debate about the role that may correspond to the indigenous people and immigrants. We evaluate the latest information on population genetics from the beginning of the Holocene as well as the average extension throughout Europe of early Neolithic settlements and lifestyle. The discussion leads us to believe that we are facing a very complex cultural phenomenon

The Neolithic Pitted Ware culture foragers were culturally but not genetically influenced by the Battle Axe culture herders

Abstract: Objectives: In order to understand contacts between cultural spheres in the third millennium BC, we investigated the impact of a new herder culture, the Battle Axe culture, arriving to Scandinavia on the people of the sub-Neolithic hunter-gatherer Pitted Ware culture. By investigating the genetic make-up of Pitted Ware culture people from two types of burials (typical Pitted Ware culture burials and Battle Axe culture-influenced burials), we could determine the impact of migration and the impact of cultural influences. Methods: We sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 25 individuals from typical Pitted Ware culture burials and from Pitted Ware culture burials with Battle Axe culture influences in order to determine if the different burial types were associated with different gene-pools. Results: The genomic data show that all individuals belonged to one genetic population—a population associated with the Pitted Ware culture—irrespective of the burial style. Conclusion: We conclude that the Pitted Ware culture communities were not impacted by gene-flow, that is, via migration or exchange of mates. These different cultural expressions in the Pitted Ware culture burials are instead a consequence of cultural exchange

Human inbreeding has decreased in time through the Holocene

The history of human inbreeding is controversial. In particular, how the development of sedentary and/or agricultural societies may have influenced overall inbreeding levels is unclear. Here we present an approach for reliable estimation of runs of homozygosity (ROH) in genomes with ≥3x mean sequence coverage across >1 million SNPs, and apply this to 411 ancient Eurasian genomes from the last 15,000 years. We show that the frequency of inbreeding, as measured by ROH, has decreased over time. The strongest effect is associated with the Neolithic transition, but the trend has since continued, indicating a population size effect on inbreeding prevalence. We further show that most inbreeding in our historical sample can be attributed to small population size instead of consanguinity. We observed singular cases of high consanguinity only among members of farming societies