A man buried in Spain in the Early Neolithic era

I0411
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:
I0411
Date:
5298 BCE - 5059 BCE
Biological Sex:
Male
mtDNA:
K1a2a
Y-DNA:
F
Cultural Period:
Early Neolithic Spain
Location
Country:
Spain
Locality:
Els Trocs
Coordinates:
42.5000, 0.5000
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Early Neolithic period in Spain marks a significant era in the prehistory of Western Europe, characterized by profound socio-economic changes brought about by the advent of agriculture and sedentism. This period, generally placed between 6000 and 4500 BCE, saw the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to more settled farming communities, fundamentally altering the landscape, societal structures, and cultural practices in the region.

Geography and Settlement

During the Early Neolithic, Spain's geography played a crucial role in shaping human settlement and development. The region is characterized by diverse landscapes, including coastal areas, mountainous zones, and rich river valleys, such as those of the Ebro, the Tagus, and the Guadalquivir. Early Neolithic communities often established themselves in fertile areas conducive to agriculture, which led to the development of permanent or semi-permanent villages. These villages typically consisted of small clusters of rectangular or oval-shaped dwellings made from perishable materials like wood, clay, and reeds.

Agriculture and Economy

The introduction of agriculture is one of the defining features of the Neolithic period in Spain. Early Neolithic communities cultivated a variety of crops, including einkorn and emmer wheat, barley, peas, lentils, and flax. This agricultural practice marked a departure from the Mesolithic reliance on hunting, gathering, and foraging, leading to increased food production and surplus storage.

Animal domestication was also pivotal, with cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs being integral to Neolithic life. These animals provided not only meat but also secondary products such as milk, wool, and labor for plowing fields. The shift to agricultural subsistence allowed communities to support larger populations and facilitated the accumulation of goods, setting the stage for economic diversification and complexity.

Tools and Technology

The Early Neolithic era saw advancements in tool technology, reflecting the changing needs of agricultural communities. Stone tools were predominant, with polished stone axes and adzes being essential for land clearance and woodworking. The development of pottery marked another technological leap, with Early Neolithic ceramics typically being simple, round-bottomed vessels used for storage and cooking.

Given the region's varied environment, communities developed specific tools tailored to their local resources and needs, demonstrating early technological innovation and adaptation.

Social Organization and Culture

The establishment of more permanent settlements led to more complex social organizations. Although kinship likely remained a fundamental organizing principle, evidence suggests increasing social differentiation during the Early Neolithic. This can be inferred from burial practices, where grave goods indicate varying levels of status and wealth among individuals.

Cultural expressions during this period include megalithic structures, such as dolmens and passage graves, which were used as communal burial sites. These structures demonstrate advanced architectural skills and may reflect emerging religious beliefs and social hierarchies.

Rock art provides insight into the symbolic and spiritual life of Early Neolithic communities. Notable examples include the Levantine rock art of eastern Spain, which often depicts human figures, animals, and abstract patterns, possibly related to ritualistic and ceremonial practices.

Trade and Interaction

The Early Neolithic period in Spain was also a time of increasing interaction and trade among different communities. Archaeological evidence points to the exchange of goods such as obsidian, flint, and certain types of pottery, indicating extensive trade networks that connected various parts of the Iberian Peninsula and beyond. This exchange facilitated not only the movement of goods but also ideas, technologies, and cultural practices.

Environmental Impact

The transition to agriculture had a profound environmental impact. Deforestation for fields and settlements led to soil erosion and changes in local ecosystems. However, Neolithic communities also managed and manipulated their landscapes, developing early forms of land management that would influence the agricultural practices of future generations.

Conclusion

The Early Neolithic era in Spain was a transformative period that laid the foundations for subsequent cultural and societal developments. It was characterized by the rise of agriculture, the development of new technologies, and the emergence of complex social structures. These changes had long-lasting impacts on the Iberian Peninsula and contributed significantly to the broader story of human civilization in Western Europe.

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Sample ID Culture/Period Date Location Action
I2199 Early Neolithic Spain 5214 BCE Burgos. El Prado de Pancorbo, Spain View
I0409 Early Neolithic Spain 5312 BCE Els Trocs, Spain View
I0411 Early Neolithic Spain 5298 BCE Els Trocs, Spain View
I0412 Early Neolithic Spain 5309 BCE Els Trocs, Spain View
I0410 Early Neolithic Spain 5298 BCE Els Trocs, Spain View
I0413 Early Neolithic Spain 5304 BCE Els Trocs, Spain View
I1972 Early Neolithic Spain 4836 BCE Burgos. El Prado de Pancorbo, Spain View
CHA001_merged Early Neolithic Spain 5308 BCE Cueva de Chaves, Spain View
CHA002 Early Neolithic Spain 5302 BCE Cueva de Chaves, Spain View
CHA003 Early Neolithic Spain 5302 BCE Cueva de Chaves, Spain View
CHA004 Early Neolithic Spain 4545 BCE Cueva de Chaves, Spain View
FUC003 Early Neolithic Spain 5209 BCE Fuente Celada, Spain View
mur Early Neolithic Spain 5299 BCE Andalusia. Murciélagos de Zuheros, Spain View
CB13 Early Neolithic Spain 5474 BCE Cova Bonica. Vallirana. Barcelona, Spain View
TOR.6 Early Neolithic Spain 5100 BCE El Toro, Spain View
TOR.8 Early Neolithic Spain 5100 BCE El Toro, Spain View
atp005 Early Neolithic Spain 5214 BCE Atapuerca. El Portalón, Spain View
TOR.7 Early Neolithic Spain 5100 BCE El Toro, Spain View
TOR.11 Early Neolithic Spain 5036 BCE El Toro, Spain View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (I0411) with present-day reference populations. These results show what percentage of the individual's genetic makeup resembles ancient populations from different geographic regions.

Neolithic Farmers 69%
European Hunter-Gatherers 22%
Western Steppe Pastoralists 9%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (I0411) 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%
Southern European 92%
Sardinian 45.4%
Italian 40.3%
Iberian 6.8%
Asia 8%
Northern West Asian 5%
Cypriot 4.6%
Arab, Egyptian & Levantine 3%
Levantine 2.9%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample I0411 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

I0411,0.10278998,0.15908514,0.01636082,-0.05339038,0.05445472,-0.0258908,-0.0048399,0.0053431,0.04240054,0.07084036,-0.00206766,0.01210052,-0.02146688,-0.01486718,-0.01173506,0.00450914,0.01549068,-0.00103652,-0.0045115,-0.00327854,-0.00208466,0.0003874,-0.00879568,-0.01865864,0.00427192
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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