The anthropological and archaeological analysis of the early medieval burial site at Muljava

Zgodnjesrednjeveško grobišče na Muljavi je datirano večinoma v 10. stoletje z odstopanji v 9. in začetek 11. stoletja. Magistrsko delo je sestavljeno iz arheološke analize grobnih pridatkov in antropološke analize 129 posameznikov, ki so jih v okolici cerkve Marijinega vnebovzetja izkopali v letih 1988, 2012 in 2016. Osteološka analiza je pokazala, da so skeleti slabo ohranjeni zaradi močne aktivnosti diagenezenajštevilčnejši in najbolj ohranjeni so bili zobje, ki so bili glavni vir informacij za demografsko in zdravstveno sliko pokojnikov iz časa zgodnjesrednjeveške Muljave. Analizirana populacija je verjetno živela v slabih higienskih razmerah, prav tako pa so verjetno živeli težko in fizično zahtevno življenje. O tem pričajo rezultati o povečanem fiziološkem stresu v času otroštva (HZS, cribra orbitalia), visoka smrtnost otrok in nizka povprečna starost odraslih. Obraba zobne sklenine in visoka pojavnost kariesa v populaciji nakazuje, da so jedli predvsem škrobno prehrano. Grobni pridatki so večinoma del takratne noše in sicer naglavni nakit z naglavnimi obročki in uhani, prstani, zapestnice, in ena ogrlica. Analiza grobnih pridatkov z antropološkimi podatki ni pokazala nobenih posebnih vzorcev pridajanja glede na spol in starost, razen tega, da so imeli nekateri moški v grobovih prav tako pridan naglavni nakit.The early medieval burial site at Muljava dates to the 10th century. This thesis consists of an archaeological analysis of the grave goods and an osteological analysis of 129 individuals, which were excavated from Muljava in 1988, 2012, and 2016. The skeletons were damaged by severe diagenesis, from which the teeth were preserved the best. The latter were able to tell us the most about health and demographics of the early medieval Muljava population. They probably lived in very poor hygienic conditions, as well as a hard and physically demanding life. These hypotheses are supported by results from the childhood stress indicators (enamel hypoplasia, cribra orbitalia), high child mortality rate, and low average age-at-death in adult individuals. Also, dental enamel wear and high prevalence of caries imply their diet probably consisted of starchy foods. Grave goods are mostly considered to be a part of a daily costume – mostly head jewellery with head rings and earrings, rings, bracelets, and a necklace with glass and amber beads. A combined analysis of both archaeological and anthropological results showed no patterns in adding specific grave goods according to sex/gender, age, or any evident pathological cases. The only exception were some male graves with head rings as grave goods

Bioarchaeology of the Late Avar population from Šarengrad – Klopare: preliminary results

Rad predstavlja preliminarne rezultate bioarheološke analize provedene na koštanim ostacima 46 osoba pronađenih u kasnoavarskoj nekropoli u Šarengradu u istočnoj Hrvatskoj. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju da populaciju iz Šarengrada karakterizira visoka smrtnost djece prouzročena lošim zdravljem u ranome djetinjstvu što se očituje u visokim učestalostima pokazatelja subadultnoga stresa (cribra orbitalia i linearna hipoplazija zubne cakline) i periostitisa kao i slučajevima skorbuta. Paleodontološka analiza snažno ukazuje kako je veliki udio prehrane bio baziran na ugljikohidratima, tj. na poljodjelstvu kao glavnoj privrednoj grani. Odsustvo perimortalnih ozljeda snažno ukazuje na činjenicu da su članovi ove zajednice bili izloženi niskim stopama namjernoga nasilja te da su primarni uzroci uočenih ozljeda nesretni slučajevi. Tri slučaja maksilarnoga sinusitisa mogu se povezati s postupkom grijanja/kuhanja (peći i otvorena vatrišta) gdje je produljeno izlaganje dimu moglo dovesti do različitih bolesti dišnih puteva kao što je sinusitis. Naposljetku, usporedba šarengradskoga uzorka s drugim istovremenim uzorcima nije pokazala značajnije razlike, ukazujući na relativno slične uvjete života u široj regiji tijekom 8. stoljeća.The paper presents the preliminary results of bioarchaeological analysis conducted on the skeletal remains of 46 individuals recovered from the Late Avar cemetery in Šarengrad, eastern Croatia. The obtained results indicate that the Šarengrad population was characterized by relatively high subadult mortality caused by very poor childhood health, which is reflected in the high frequency of subadult stress indicators (cribra orbitalia and linear enamel hypoplasia) and sub-periosteal new bone formation, but also in the occurrence of subadult cases of scurvy. Paleodontological analysis strongly suggests that a large portion of the diet of these people was based on carbohydrates which points to subsistence mostly based on agriculture. A complete absence of perimortem injuries in Šarengrad strongly points to the fact that the inhabitants of this community were exposed to a low level of intentional violence, and that the injuries primarily occurred as a result of accidents. Three cases of maxillary sinusitis could be related to the heating/cooking system (ovens and open fire pits) where prolonged direct exposure to smoke could have led to various respiratory tract diseases such as sinusitis. Finally, the comparison of the Šarengrad sample with other contemporaneous assemblages did not show any major differences, suggesting similar living conditions in the region during the 8th cent

Stable population structure in Europe since the Iron Age, despite high mobility

Ancient DNA research in the past decade has revealed that European population structure changed dramatically in the prehistoric period (14,000–3000 years before present, YBP), reflecting the widespread introduction of Neolithic farmer and Bronze Age Steppe ancestries. However, little is known about how population structure changed from the historical period onward (3000 YBP - present). To address this, we collected whole genomes from 204 individuals from Europe and the Mediterranean, many of which are the first historical period genomes from their region (e.g. Armenia and France). We found that most regions show remarkable inter-individual heterogeneity. At least 7% of historical individuals carry ancestry uncommon in the region where they were sampled, some indicating cross-Mediterranean contacts. Despite this high level of mobility, overall population structure across western Eurasia is relatively stable through the historical period up to the present, mirroring geography. We show that, under standard population genetics models with local panmixia, the observed level of dispersal would lead to a collapse of population structure. Persistent population structure thus suggests a lower effective migration rate than indicated by the observed dispersal. We hypothesize that this phenomenon can be explained by extensive transient dispersal arising from drastically improved transportation networks and the Roman Empire’s mobilization of people for trade, labor, and military. This work highlights the utility of ancient DNA in elucidating finer scale human population dynamics in recent history

Stable population structure in Europe since the Iron Age, despite high mobility

Ancient DNA research in the past decade has revealed that European population structure changed dramatically in the prehistoric period (14,000-3000 years before present, YBP), reflecting the widespread introduction of Neolithic farmer and Bronze Age Steppe ancestries. However, little is known about how population structure changed from the historical period onward (3000 YBP - present). To address this, we collected whole genomes from 204 individuals from Europe and the Mediterranean, many of which are the first historical period genomes from their region (e.g. Armenia and France). We found that most regions show remarkable inter-individual heterogeneity. At least 7% of historical individuals carry ancestry uncommon in the region where they were sampled, some indicating cross-Mediterranean contacts. Despite this high level of mobility, overall population structure across western Eurasia is relatively stable through the historical period up to the present, mirroring geography. We show that, under standard population genetics models with local panmixia, the observed level of dispersal would lead to a collapse of population structure. Persistent population structure thus suggests a lower effective migration rate than indicated by the observed dispersal. We hypothesize that this phenomenon can be explained by extensive transient dispersal arising from drastically improved transportation networks and the Roman Empire's mobilization of people for trade, labor, and military. This work highlights the utility of ancient DNA in elucidating finer scale human population dynamics in recent history

A genetic history of continuity and mobility in the Iron Age central Mediterranean

The Iron Age was a dynamic period in central Mediterranean history, with the expansion of Greek and Phoenician colonies and the growth of Carthage into the dominant maritime power of the Mediterranean. These events were facilitated by the ease of long-distance travel following major advances in seafaring. We know from the archaeological record that trade goods and materials were moving across great distances in unprecedented quantities, but it is unclear how these patterns correlate with human mobility. Here, to investigate population mobility and interactions directly, we sequenced the genomes of 30 ancient individuals from coastal cities around the central Mediterranean, in Tunisia, Sardinia and central Italy. We observe a meaningful contribution of autochthonous populations, as well as highly heterogeneous ancestry including many individuals with non-local ancestries from other parts of the Mediterranean region. These results highlight both the role of local populations and the extreme interconnectedness of populations in the Iron Age Mediterranean. By studying these trans-Mediterranean neighbours together, we explore the complex interplay between local continuity and mobility that shaped the Iron Age societies of the central Mediterranean

Stable population structure in Europe since the Iron Age, despite high mobility

International audienceAncient DNA research in the past decade has revealed that European populationstructure changed dramatically in the prehistoric period (14,000–3000 years before present, YBP),reflecting the widespread introduction of Neolithic farmer and Bronze Age Steppe ancestries.However, little is known about how population structure changed from the historical period onward(3000 YBP - present). To address this, we collected whole genomes from 204 individuals fromEurope and the Mediterranean, many of which are the first historical period genomes from theirregion (e.g. Armenia and France). We found that most regions show remarkable inter-individualheterogeneity. At least 7% of historical individuals carry ancestry uncommon in the region wherethey were sampled, some indicating cross-Mediterranean contacts. Despite this high level ofmobility, overall population structure across western Eurasia is relatively stable through the historicalperiod up to the present, mirroring geography. We show that, under standard population geneticsmodels with local panmixia, the observed level of dispersal would lead to a collapse of populationstructure. Persistent population structure thus suggests a lower effective migration rate than indi-cated by the observed dispersal. We hypothesize that this phenomenon can be explained by exten-sive transient dispersal arising from drastically improved transportation networks and the RomanEmpire’s mobilization of people for trade, labor, and military. This work highlights the utility ofancient DNA in elucidating finer scale human population dynamics in recent history