A man buried in France in the Middle Neolithic era
The Middle Neolithic period in the Hauts-de-France region of France is a fascinating era that embodies the broader cultural transformations taking place across Western Europe during the Neolithic Age. This period, roughly spanning from 4500 to 3500 BCE, was characterized by significant developments in agriculture, settlement patterns, social structures, and material culture.
Agriculture and Economy: The Middle Neolithic in Hauts-de-France witnessed the full establishment of an agrarian-based economy. Communities practiced mixed farming, cultivating crops such as wheat, barley, and legumes, and raising domesticated animals including cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. This shift to a more sedentary lifestyle was made possible by the fertile loess soils widely found in the region, which supported intensive agriculture. The introduction of the ard (a simple plow) and other farming tools facilitated land clearing and cultivation.
Settlement Patterns: During this period, there was a noticeable increase in the size and permanence of settlements. Villages were strategically located near rivers and fertile plains to maximize agricultural potential. These settlements often consisted of longhouses made of timber and wattle and daub, indicating both communal living and a degree of social organization. There is evidence of emerging settlement hierarchies, with certain sites serving as central places in regional networks.
Social Structures: The Middle Neolithic era saw a shift towards more complex social structures. Social differentiation began to emerge, likely based on factors such as wealth accumulation, control of resources, or kinship ties. This is evidenced by varying burial practices, where some individuals were interred with elaborate grave goods, suggesting higher social status. Collective burial monuments, such as megalithic tombs, highlight the importance of ancestry, communal identity, and possibly emerging leadership roles within these communities.
Material Culture: Pottery from this period exhibits a marked development in both form and decoration. Middle Neolithic pottery in Hauts-de-France was typically finely made with intricate geometric patterns, often incised or impressed onto the surface. The emergence of polished stone tools, such as axes and adzes, reflects advancements in technology and craftsmanship. These tools were not just functional but also held symbolic importance, likely used in trade and as status symbols.
Megalithic Structures and Rituals: The Middle Neolithic in this region is notable for the construction of megalithic monuments, including dolmens and passage graves, which served ritualistic and religious purposes. These structures underscore the importance of ceremonial activities and likely played a role in fostering community cohesion through shared ancestral worship and rituals.
Exchange and Interaction: This era was marked by increasing interaction and exchange between different communities, not just within France, but across Western Europe. The distribution of exotic materials, such as flint and polished stone axes originating from distant locations, points to extensive trade networks and cultural exchanges. These interactions facilitated the spread of technologies, ideas, and cultural practices.
Environmental Adaptation: The communities of the Middle Neolithic were adept at adapting to their environment, managing woodland resources sustainably while expanding arable land. This era might also reflect an early awareness of seasonal cycles and environmental management, which were crucial for successful farming and livestock rearing.
Overall, the Middle Neolithic period in Hauts-de-France represents a critical phase in prehistoric Europe where agricultural intensification, social differentiation, and cultural expression were dynamically evolving. This era laid foundational aspects of societal organization and cultural identity that would continue to influence the region for millennia.
Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (Es97-1) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.
Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (Es97-1) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles modern populations from different geographic regions.
These results complement the ancient ancestry components shown in the previous section, offering a different perspective on the individual's genetic profile by comparing it with modern reference populations rather than prehistoric ancestral groups.
The G25 coordinates for the sample Es97-1 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.
Es97-1,0.12085956,0.15946244,0.03759608,-0.02016436,0.05685884,-0.01138012,-0.00153324,0.00658748,0.03518732,0.05788152,-0.0067252,0.0141584,-0.02496448,-0.0113698,-0.00030552,0.00300072,-0.00151656,-0.00123472,-0.00122932,-0.00261624,0.00345752,0.00587376,-0.01173692,-0.0166818,0.0040055
Ancient genomes from present-day France unveil 7,000 years of its demographic history
Genomic studies conducted on ancient individuals across Europe have revealed how migrations have contributed to its present genetic landscape, but the territory of present-day France has yet to be connected to the broader European picture. We generated a large dataset comprising the complete mitochondrial genomes, Y-chromosome markers, and genotypes of a number of nuclear loci of interest of 243 individuals sampled across present-day France over a period spanning 7,000 y, complemented with a partially overlapping dataset of 58 low-coverage genomes. This panel provides a high-resolution transect of the dynamics of maternal and paternal lineages in France as well as of autosomal genotypes. Parental lineages and genomic data both revealed demographic patterns in France for the Neolithic and Bronze Age transitions consistent with neighboring regions, first with a migration wave of Anatolian farmers followed by varying degrees of admixture with autochthonous hunter-gatherers, and then substantial gene flow from individuals deriving part of their ancestry from the Pontic steppe at the onset of the Bronze Age. Our data have also highlighted the persistence of Magdalenian-associated ancestry in hunter-gatherer populations outside of Spain and thus provide arguments for an expansion of these populations at the end of the Paleolithic Period more northerly than what has been described so far. Finally, no major demographic changes were detected during the transition between the Bronze and Iron Ages.