New Genetic Research Reveals Insights into European Stone Age and Interactions between Different Groups
A groundbreaking new DNA study conducted by researchers at Uppsala University, in collaboration with an international team of scientists, has shed light on the complex genetic history of the European Stone Age. The study, which analyzed genetic data from 56 individuals from Central and Eastern Europe dating back thousands of years, provides new insights into how different groups of people interacted based on geography and the influence of agriculture on genetic flow.
According to the study’s lead author, Tiina Mattila, the interdisciplinary nature of the research has been crucial in unraveling the mysteries of Europe’s genetic past. “Conducting studies like this one requires a broad interdisciplinary discussion. In this study, this discussion has been exceptionally fruitful,” says Mattila.
The European Stone Age was characterized by the presence of hunter-gatherer groups that inhabited different parts of Eurasia. Previous DNA research over the past 15 years has highlighted the intermingling of these groups before the advent of agriculture in Europe. However, the recent study demonstrates that the merging of genetic lines among these hunter-gatherers was highly influenced by geography.
One significant finding from the study is the connection between the spread of agriculture and gene flow from Anatolia. The researchers confirm that the agricultural group, distinct genetically and culturally from European hunter-gatherers, contributed to the gene pool through migration. However, the spread of agriculture varied across different regions, leading to unique patterns of intermingling among ethnic groups in Europe.
Mattila explains, “These differences in the intermingling of genetic lines and cultures can tell us about the power relations between different groups.”
Moreover, the study delved into the significance of family relations and burial practices during the Stone Age. While common graves are often assumed to be family graves, the researchers found that this was not always the case. The findings suggest that other social factors played a role in burial practices, further emphasizing the complexity of Stone Age societies.
The research team believes that this study adds crucial details to the ever-expanding puzzle of Stone Age Europeans’ genetic history. “We can show that some parts of Europe, such as the area around the Dnipro River delta, were inhabited by isolated groups of hunter-gatherers for many thousands of years, even as other parts of Europe transitioned to agricultural lifestyles,” says Mattias Jakobsson, a professor of genetics at Uppsala University.
The comprehensive findings of the study contribute to a deeper understanding of Europe’s genetic history during the Stone Age. As more research is conducted in this field, scientists hope to unravel more mysteries and gain further insights into the lives and interactions of ancient populations.
The study, titled “Genetic continuity, isolation, and gene flow in Stone Age Central and Eastern Europe,” will be published in the journal Communications Biology on August 9, 2023.
Reference: “Genetic continuity, isolation, and gene flow in Stone Age Central and Eastern Europe” 9 August 2023, Communications Biology. DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05131-3