A man buried in Russia in the Late Bronze Age era

I3423
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:
I3423
Date:
393 BCE - 207 BCE
Biological Sex:
Male
mtDNA:
D4b1a2a2
Y-DNA:
R-Y46
Cultural Period:
Karasuk Culture, Russia
Location
Country:
Russia
Locality:
Sabinka 2
Coordinates:
53.1520, 91.0500
Map Location
Historical Timeline
Description

The Karasuk culture, which existed around 1500 to 800 BCE, was part of the broader sphere of Bronze Age cultures known in Central Asia and southern Siberia. This culture is primarily situated in what is now the Russian region extending into parts of Kazakhstan. It is often considered as a succeeding phase of the Andronovo culture, although there are debates regarding how independent or derivative it was from its predecessor.

Geographical Context:

The Karasuk culture was centered in the vast steppes and forest-steppes of southern Siberia, along the upper courses of the Ob and Yenisei Rivers. The region's geography played a crucial role in shaping the lifestyle of the Karasuk people. The steppes provided ample grazing land for livestock, a critical factor for their pastoral way of life. The proximity to water bodies and fertile lands also supported agriculture, which complemented the meat-based diet obtained from pastoralism.

Cultural Influences and Development:

The Karasuk culture emerged as part of a dynamic interaction among several neighboring cultures. It was influenced by the Andronovo culture from the west, which itself was part of a network of cultures that spread across the Eurasian steppe. From the east, the Karasuk culture felt influences from the Chinese civilizations, primarily through trade and the exchange of technologies such as metallurgy.

Economy and Subsistence:

The economy of the Karasuk culture was predominantly based on pastoralism, with herds of cattle, sheep, and goats being essential. The harsh climatic conditions of Siberia necessitated a transhumant lifestyle, where communities moved with their herds between seasonal pastures. There is evidence that agriculture also played a role, as indicated by the discovery of grains such as barley. Additionally, hunting and fishing supplemented their diet and economy.

Material Culture and Technology:

The Karasuk culture is particularly noted for its advancements in metallurgy. They were skilled metalworkers, producing sophisticated bronze tools and weapons, including sickles, daggers, and axe-heads. The metal artifacts show a high degree of craftsmanship and were likely used for both practical and ceremonial purposes. The transition from bronze to iron, evident in later stages of the Karasuk culture, marked a significant technological advancement that would profoundly influence subsequent cultures in the region.

Settlements and Society:

As a largely nomadic culture, the Karasuk people did not establish large, permanent settlements. Archaeological evidence points to small, seasonal campsites rather than permanent villages or towns. Their dwellings were likely portable structures made of wood and animal hides, suitable for a migratory lifestyle. Social organization within the Karasuk culture remains relatively vague, but it is suggested that society was tribal, with social structures revolving around kinship and clan affiliations.

Art and Burial Practices:

The art of the Karasuk culture is best represented in their burial practices and ornamentation. Tumuli and stone kurgans (burial mounds) have been found, offering insights into their belief systems and social hierarchy. These burials often contained carefully crafted grave goods, such as pottery, jewelry, and weapons, indicating a belief in an afterlife where such items were deemed necessary.

Pottery from the Karasuk culture was generally utilitarian but often decorated with geometric patterns that held symbolic meanings. The designs and styles suggest both continuity and innovation from the preceding Andronovo traditions.

Cultural Decline and Legacy:

The decline of the Karasuk culture is not well-documented, but it is believed to have been absorbed and transformed by incoming groups, leading to the rise of subsequent cultures such as the Tagar culture. The metallurgical advancements and pastoral techniques developed by the Karasuk people set important precedents for these successor cultures.

In conclusion, the Karasuk culture represents a significant era in the history of the Eurasian steppe, characterized by a blend of pastoralism, metalwork, and cultural exchange. Its contributions to technological progress and its role in the transitional dynamics of Bronze Age Eurasia highlight its importance in archaeology and the understanding of ancient civilizations in Siberia and Central Asia.

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RISE497 Karasuk Culture, Russia 1400 BCE Arban 1, Russia View
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RISE495 Karasuk Culture, Russia 1400 BCE Arban 1, Russia View
RISE496 Karasuk Culture, Russia 1416 BCE Arban 1, Russia View
RISE499 Karasuk Culture, Russia 1400 BCE Bystrovka, Russia View
RISE502 Karasuk Culture, Russia 1497 BCE Bystrovka, Russia View
I3425 Karasuk Culture, Russia 1417 BCE Sabinka 2, Russia View
I3423 Karasuk Culture, Russia 393 BCE Sabinka 2, Russia View
RISE492 Karasuk Culture, Russia 393 BCE Sabinka-2 (Republic of Khakassia, Beysky District), Russia View
Ancient Genetic Admixture

Ancient genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (I3423) 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 41%
European Hunter-Gatherers 30%
Ancient Asians 19%
Ancient Native Americans 6%
Ancient Africans 2%
Ancient Oceanians 2%
Modern Genetic Admixture

Modern genetic admixture analysis compares the DNA profile of this individual (I3423) 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 65%
Northwestern European 50%
Scandinavian 23.4%
English 15.3%
Finnish 11.4%
Eastern European 15%
Eastern European 14.6%
Asia 28%
Central Asian, Northern Indian & Pakistani 14%
Pakistan 8.6%
Central Asian 4.6%
Indian 0.7%
Northern Asian 9%
Siberian 9.1%
Chinese & Southeast Asian 5%
Chinese 4.2%
Indonesian Khmer Thai Myanma 0.8%
America 7%
America 7%
Native American 7.4%
G25 Coordinates

The G25 coordinates for the sample I3423 are as follows. You can analyze its admixture using G25 Studio.

I3423,0.10766872,-0.00757642,0.07497696,0.04982942,-0.00412694,0.00747084,-0.0051295,-0.00730128,-0.00498922,-0.0229961,0.01246924,-0.0034024,0.0111241,-0.02433594,-0.00623844,-0.0193922,-0.01437498,-0.00495858,-0.0200985,-0.01786622,0.00994948,0.00355204,-0.0246837,0.00967264,-0.00482622
Analyze it in G25 Studio
Scientific Papers References
Population genomics of Bronze Age Eurasia
Authors:
Allentoft ME, Sikora M, Sjögren KG
Abstract:

The Bronze Age of Eurasia (around 3000-1000 BC) was a period of major cultural changes. However, there is debate about whether these changes resulted from the circulation of ideas or from human migrations, potentially also facilitating the spread of languages and certain phenotypic traits. We investigated this by using new, improved methods to sequence low-coverage genomes from 101 ancient humans from across Eurasia. We show that the Bronze Age was a highly dynamic period involving large-scale population migrations and replacements, responsible for shaping major parts of present-day demographic structure in both Europe and Asia. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesized spread of Indo-European languages during the Early Bronze Age. We also demonstrate that light skin pigmentation in Europeans was already present at high frequency in the Bronze Age, but not lactose tolerance, indicating a more recent onset of positive selection on lactose tolerance than previously thought.

Link:
View Publication
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