A man buried in Russia in the Hunter-Gatherer era

I0124
Portrait reconstruction
Disclaimer: The portrait shown is a speculative reconstruction and not the actual face of the ancient sample. It represents an artistic interpretation based on archaeological data.
Specimen Details
Sample ID:
I0124
Date:
5660 BCE - 5535 BCE
Biological Sex:
Male
mtDNA:
U5a1d
Y-DNA:
R-Y13202
Cultural Period:
Hunter-Gatherer Samara, Russia
Location
Country:
Russia
Locality:
Samara Oblast. Volga River Valley. Sok River. Lebyazhinka
Coordinates:
53.6806, 50.6753
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Hunter-Gatherer culture of the Samara region in Russia is a fascinating and foundational part of prehistoric human history. This era, which largely corresponds to the Mesolithic period, is characterized by the adaptation and survival strategies of Eurasian hunter-gatherers in the area around the Volga River basin. The period is significant due to its role in the transition from mobile foraging societies to more settled agricultural communities.

Geography and Environment

The Samara region is situated in the forest-steppe zone of the Middle Volga. This area provided a diverse and bountiful environment for hunter-gatherers. The landscape featured open steppes, dense forests, and numerous rivers and lakes, which offered a rich array of resources. The climate during this period was warming after the last glacial period, leading to the flourishing of flora and fauna that were crucial for sustenance.

Lifestyle and Subsistence

Hunter-gatherer communities of the Samara region were highly adaptive and mobile, exploiting the seasonal abundance of resources. Their subsistence strategies were diverse, including:

  • Hunting: The people primarily hunted large herbivores such as elk, deer, and boar. Hunting tools were crafted from bone and flint, demonstrating a high degree of skill in tool-making.

  • Fishing: Proximity to the Volga River and numerous smaller waterways made fishing a substantial component of their diet. They employed nets, hooks, and spears, taking advantage of the rich fish populations.

  • Gathering: The gathering of wild plants, berries, nuts, and tubers supplemented their diet. Seasonal availability dictated their movement and settlement patterns.

Social Structure and Organization

The social structure of Samara's hunter-gatherers was likely characterized by small, kin-based groups, with flexible membership and egalitarian principles. Leadership roles were probably situational and based on skill or knowledge rather than hereditary status.

The seasonal nature of their subsistence practices meant that these groups were semi-nomadic. They established temporary camps, which served as bases from which they could exploit nearby resources.

Material Culture and Technology

Their material culture was marked by the use of locally available materials such as flint, bone, and antler. The tools and artifacts created by these communities include:

  • Lithic Tools: These include blades, scrapers, and points, produced through sophisticated techniques such as pressure flaking.

  • Bone and Antler Tools: Implements such as needles, awls, and harpoons were carved, showcasing precision in craftsmanship.

  • Pottery: The Samara culture is significant for its early experimentation with pottery. While not as developed as later cultures, their pottery is some of the earliest in the region and represents a shift towards more sedentary lifestyles.

Rituals and Beliefs

There is evidence to suggest that the Samara hunter-gatherers engaged in ritual activities and had a complex belief system:

  • Burial Practices: Some burial sites indicate the deliberate placement of bodies and grave goods such as stone tools and ornaments, hinting at beliefs in an afterlife.

  • Art and Ornamentation: Personal adornments made from shells, animal teeth, and bones suggest not only a sense of aesthetic but also possible status indicators or ritualistic significance.

Genetic and Cultural Legacy

Genetically, the people of the Samara region were part of the broader genetic pool of Eurasian hunter-gatherers. They contributed to the genetic diversity of subsequent populations in Europe and Asia, especially during the Neolithic migrations and the later spread of Indo-European languages.

Culturally, the transition towards more complex technologies and social structures set the stage for the Neolithic Revolution, where agriculture and animal husbandry became prevalent. Insights into their adaptability, innovation, and social organization provide valuable understanding into the evolutionary trajectory of human societies in the region.

In conclusion, the hunter-gatherers of the Samara region in Russia played a critical role in the early chapters of human prehistory. Their ability to adapt to changing environments, innovate in tool-making, and develop rich cultural practices laid the groundwork for the complex societies that would follow.

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I1530 Bell Beaker Culture, Germany 2456 BCE Rothenschirmbach, Germany View
I0111 Bell Beaker Culture, Germany 2474 BCE Rothenschirmbach, Germany View
I0108 Bell Beaker Culture, Germany 2575 BCE Rothenschirmbach, Germany View
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I0551 Middle Neolithic Salzmuende Culture, Germany 3400 BCE Salzmünde-Schiepzig, Germany View
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I0418 2131 BCE Samara Oblast. Volga River Valley. Samara River. Utyevka VI, Russia View
I0438 3020 BCE Samara Oblast. Volga River Valley. Samara River. Luzkhi I, Russia View
I0585 5982 BCE Leon. La Brana-Arintero, Spain View
I1534 2500 BCE Esperstedt, Germany View
I1504 987 BCE Ludas-Varjú dűlő, Hungary View
I0099 1202 BCE Halberstadt-Sonntagsfeld, Germany View
I0047 2116 BCE Halberstadt-Sonntagsfeld, Germany View
I1579 6221 BCE Northwest Anatolia. Marmara. Barcın, Turkey View
I1581 6386 BCE Northwest Anatolia. Marmara. Barcın, Turkey View
I1580 6381 BCE Northwest Anatolia. Marmara. Barcın, Turkey View
I1585 6217 BCE Northwest Anatolia. Marmara. Barcın, Turkey View
I1583 6424 BCE Northwest Anatolia. Marmara. Barcın, Turkey View
I0727 6400 BCE Menteşe, Turkey View
I0724 6400 BCE Menteşe, Turkey View
I0854 6228 BCE Northwest Anatolia. Marmara. Barcın, Turkey View
I0723 6008 BCE Menteşe, Turkey View
I0371 2871 BCE Samara Oblast. Volga River Valley. Sok River. Grachevka, Russia View
I0060 2404 BCE Rothenschirmbach, Germany View
Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
I0124 Hunter-Gatherer Samara, Russia 5660 BCE Samara Oblast. Volga River Valley. Sok River. Lebyazhinka, Russia View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (I0124) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

Western Steppe Pastoralists 97%
Ancient Native Americans 3%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (I0124) 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.

Europe 92%
Eastern European 67%
Eastern European 66.9%
Northwestern European 25%
Finnish 14.4%
Scandinavian 11.0%
America 8%
America 8%
Native American 7.7%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample I0124 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

I0124,0.11986606,0.03409,0.08182972,0.0667483,0.0059761,0.01313468,-0.00419378,-0.0080473,-0.00905372,-0.03274804,0.00890576,-0.0099419,0.01565672,0.0058434,-0.01419766,-0.01943738,-0.01240572,-0.0014921,-0.00997694,-0.00794618,-0.0040387,0.004441,-0.00964554,0.00187796,-0.00449308
Analyze it in G25 Studio
Scientific Papers References
Genome-wide patterns of selection in 230 ancient Eurasians
Authors:
Mathieson I, Lazaridis I, Rohland N
Abstract:

Ancient DNA makes it possible to observe natural selection directly by analysing samples from populations before, during and after adaptation events. Here we report a genome-wide scan for selection using ancient DNA, capitalizing on the largest ancient DNA data set yet assembled: 230 West Eurasians who lived between 6500 and 300 bc, including 163 with newly reported data. The new samples include, to our knowledge, the first genome-wide ancient DNA from Anatolian Neolithic farmers, whose genetic material we obtained by extracting from petrous bones, and who we show were members of the population that was the source of Europe's first farmers. We also report a transect of the steppe region in Samara between 5600 and 300 bc, which allows us to identify admixture into the steppe from at least two external sources. We detect selection at loci associated with diet, pigmentation and immunity, and two independent episodes of selection on height.

Link:
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